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In mice, maintains neuronal structure, improves the ability to traverse a maze.
Increases longevity in mice.

In the human brain, DHEA is present at six times its concentration in the bloodstream. In the
average person, DHEA blood levels decline fivefold from the age of twenty to seventy years. A few
proponents quote this fact to claim that giving DHEA to older people boosts low blood levels and
corrects a ‘‘deficit.” More systematic research is needed to find out if this claim is valid. Of note, in a
study of older men, those with the highest DHEA blood levels had the best general health over the
course of a decade of follow-up. An alternative to DHEA is pregnenolone, a natural steroid that is
converted to DHEA in the body.

DHEA: Clinical Impact on Memory

Clinically, some patients with lupus who take DHEA have reported improved mood and less
generalized pain. DHEA has also been administered to people with a variety of age-related maladies,
including memory loss. A major limitation is that most studies to date have involved only a handful
of subjects. German investigators recently reported that a single 300 mg dose of DHEA did not affect
memory test performance in young adults. In another negative study, Kristine Yaffe, in San
Francisco, found no associations between DHEA blood levels and cognitive test performance in a
community sample of 394 women. On the other hand, a small uncontrolled study conducted within
the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, suggests that DHEA can treat memory loss in patients with
dementia. But until the acid test of a large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has been
passed, the jury will still be out on this compound.

DHEA Side Effects Can Be Serious

DHEA's conversion to steroid hormones underlies some of its therapeutic effects, but the same
properties can lead to toxicity. DHEA raises the levels of testosterone and other male hormones,
which increases the risk of prostate cancer. I strongly recommend medical evaluation and clearance
by a physician, including assessment of blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA), for any middle-aged
or elderly man who chooses to embark on DHEA therapy.

Another side effect is an increase in masculine features such as growth of facial hair and acne. As
a result, DHEA is rarely given to