TLDR A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
The study explored the use of finasteride (FIN), a 5α-reductase inhibitor, as a potential treatment for schizophrenia-related symptoms induced by early psychosocial stress in rats. The researchers found that FIN improved prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in isolation-reared (IR) rats without affecting socially reared (SR) controls. The treatment also altered neurosteroid profiles in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, particularly increasing pregnenolone levels, which may contribute to its antipsychotic-like effects. The study involved 43 male rats and suggested that targeting neurosteroid synthesis could be a promising approach for treating schizophrenia-related alterations. However, the study had limitations, including a focus on specific brain regions and the absence of direct PPI testing and steroid profile analyses in other areas of the brain or plasma.
35 citations,
June 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride reduces gambling symptoms in Parkinson's patients.
46 citations,
September 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.
72 citations,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
47 citations,
July 2009 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Finasteride helps treat hair loss and prostate enlargement by blocking a specific enzyme.
17 citations,
May 2008 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride improved symptoms in a schizophrenia patient.
42 citations,
December 2007 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Finasteride may effectively reduce Tourette's syndrome symptoms and improve life quality.
136 citations,
March 1996 in “Journal of the American Chemical Society” Finasteride effectively blocks enzyme causing male pattern baldness.
72 citations,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
2 citations,
January 2010 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Low dose finasteride decreases certain steroids, possibly increasing depression risk.
15 citations,
May 2007 in “Hormones and Behavior” Finasteride boosts morphine's pain relief, stops tolerance, and reduces withdrawal in rats.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
31 citations,
November 2014 in “Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science” A natural steroid in the body may protect against eye damage in glaucoma.
