Repeated Finasteride Administration Induces Depression-Like Behavior in Adult Male Rats

March 2019 in “ Behavioural Brain Research ”

Rao G. Sasibhushana, B.S. Shankaranarayana Rao, B.N. Srikumar

finasteride male pattern hair loss benign prostatic hyperplasia Propecia

Studysummary This study found that repeated finasteride administration in male Wistar rats led to increased depression-like behavior, suggesting an animal model for investigating finasteride's neuropsychiatric effects is viable. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated the effects of repeated administration of finasteride, a drug used to treat male pattern hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia, on depression-like behavior in adult male rats. The study found that repeated administration of finasteride induced depression-like behavior in rats, as evidenced by increased immobility time and decreased grooming duration. The study suggests that short-term finasteride administration itself may result in depression-like behavior. The study highlights the need for further research in this area.

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Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

research Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

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This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats led to enduring effects on depressive-like behavior, hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota composition after withdrawal.

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

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In this study, older men using 5α-reductase inhibitors for prostatic enlargement did not show increased risk of suicide, but had elevated risks of self-harm and depression.

research Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain

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This study found that subchronic finasteride treatment in male rats altered neuroactive steroid levels and steroid receptor expression in the brain, with some changes persisting after drug withdrawal.

research Adverse Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors: What Do We Know, Don't Know, and Need to Know?

111 citations , August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders”

5α-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, needing more research on long-term effects.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations , June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

This study highlights that adverse effects from finasteride may persist in men after discontinuation, indicating a potential "post-finasteride syndrome.

Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

61 citations , April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

This study reports that men with androgenic alopecia experience altered neuroactive steroid levels associated with persistent depression symptoms even after stopping finasteride treatment.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

This study found that former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects reported significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to controls.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They Be Permanent?

112 citations , July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

In this study, 96% of men with persistent sexual side effects from finasteride reported continued dysfunction after discontinuation, suggesting these effects may endure long-term.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations , December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This review discusses persistent adverse effects of 5α‐reductase inhibitors, like diminished libido and erectile dysfunction, in some patients and highlights the need for patient discussions before therapy, especially for androgenetic alopecia.

research Finasteride Treatment Inhibits Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mice

32 citations , May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry”

This article investigates whether finasteride influences adult hippocampal neurogenesis related to depression and reports no new clinical findings; the authors suggest further research on its neurosteroid inhibition.

research Studies on Neurosteroids XXV: Influence of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, on Rat Brain Neurosteroid Levels and Metabolism

61 citations , January 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin”

In this study, finasteride dose-dependently inhibited stress-induced increases in allopregnanolone in rats, while enhancing 20alpha-reduction of progesterone without affecting 3alpha-dihydroprogesterone or 11-deoxycorticosterone levels.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations , October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

This preliminary study suggests that finasteride might cause depressive symptoms, indicating the need for cautious prescription in patients at high risk for depression.

research Depression Related to Finasteride Administration for Androgenetic Alopecia

88 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, 19 patients treated with finasteride for androgenetic alopecia developed moderate to severe depression, which resolved after stopping the medication, suggesting an association between finasteride and mood disturbances.

research Changes in Progesterone Metabolites in the Hippocampus Can Modulate Open Field and Forced Swim Test Behavior of Proestrous Rats

269 citations , May 2002 in “Hormones and Behavior”

Lowering 3α,5α-THP in the hippocampus increases anxiety and depression in proestrous rats.