TLDR Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.
This preliminary study investigated the effectiveness of finasteride in treating Tourette syndrome (TS) in adult males. The study found that finasteride resulted in significant reductions in the severity of global symptoms, total tics, motor tics, and phonic tics, as assessed by Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) scores. Additionally, the study found a significant reduction in total scores and compulsion subscale scores of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) in patients with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. However, the lack of treatment blinding in the study design poses important limits to the value of these results in view of the possibility of placebo effects, as well as ascertainment and observer bias.
72 citations,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
42 citations,
December 2007 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Finasteride may effectively reduce Tourette's syndrome symptoms and improve life quality.
November 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride 1 mg every other month works as well as daily dose for hair loss maintenance.
25 citations,
June 2017 in “Scientific reports” Stress worsens Tourette symptoms by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
46 citations,
September 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.
42 citations,
December 2007 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Finasteride may effectively reduce Tourette's syndrome symptoms and improve life quality.
38 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Finasteride effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.
