27 citations,
July 2008 in “Neuroscience” Finasteride given to baby rats causes anxiety-like behavior and worsens learning from punishment in adult rats.
26 citations,
November 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Pregnancy reduces anxiety in rats, but finasteride reverses this effect.
25 citations,
March 2017 in “Steroids” Allopregnanolone increases growth and changes gene activity in human brain cancer cells.
22 citations,
December 2010 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.
21 citations,
January 2020 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Lack or blocking of SRD5a, a key component in hormone creation, can lead to conditions like pseudohermaphrodism and affect hair growth, bone mass, muscle strength, and reproductive health. More research is needed on its regulation from fertilization to adulthood.
20 citations,
November 2019 in “Biomolecules” Finasteride reduces response to stress and rewards, affecting behavior and mental health.
18 citations,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
17 citations,
September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
17 citations,
February 2014 in “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology” 
14 citations,
March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research” Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.
12 citations,
September 2017 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” Testosterone significantly affects sexual desire in both men and women, but its impact on women is more complex and influenced by psychological factors.
3 citations,
August 2016 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride given to baby rats reduces dopamine release and increases alcohol consumption in adult males.
3 citations,
October 2015 in “Human Psychopharmacology-clinical and Experimental” Finasteride doesn't affect sleep spindles in men.
December 2020 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can have lasting negative effects on brain function and behavior by disrupting neurosteroid production.
142 citations,
January 2019 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Postpartum depression is linked to changes in brain chemicals, inflammation, stress, and certain genes, and can potentially be identified by markers like specific steroids, serotonin levels, and vitamin D levels.
112 citations,
July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride may cause long-lasting sexual side effects.
99 citations,
October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology” Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.
31 citations,
March 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Neuroactive steroids could become safe, effective treatments with more understanding of their complex brain actions and metabolism.
27 citations,
June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
22 citations,
January 2008 in “Physiological Research” Steroid sulfatase is important for activating hormones that affect memory, brain function, and certain diseases, and could be a target for treating hormone-related disorders.
17 citations,
April 2015 in “Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research” Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma is safe and has potential for new drug development due to its therapeutic properties.
15 citations,
June 2019 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” Isoallopregnanolone may be a safe and effective treatment for reducing tics in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome.
12 citations,
August 2018 in “Psychiatry research” Estazolam reduces anxiety-like behavior in PTSD by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
12 citations,
January 2013 in “Alcohol and Alcoholism” Alcohol in teen years leads to more adult drinking, finasteride doesn't help.
11 citations,
July 2008 in “European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics” Finasteride helps reduce pain and inflammation in animals.
10 citations,
May 2018 in “Neuropharmacology” Drugs for hormone-related conditions might help treat mental disorders but could have serious side effects.
8 citations,
February 2017 in “Clinical Drug Investigation” Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction and depression, which may persist and require hormonal treatment.
7 citations,
August 2006 in “Experimental Neurology” Finasteride blocks deoxycorticosterone's anticonvulsant effects in infant rats, but indomethacin doesn't.
6 citations,
April 2015 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride worsens stress effects on sensory processes, possibly linking to anxiety/depression.
5 citations,
October 2020 in “Brain Research Bulletin” Etifoxine, an anxiety drug, can lessen brain inflammation and cognitive issues in mice, partly by increasing production of protective brain steroids.