Path: /therapeutics/dhea
Also Known As: Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA-S (sulfate form), Androstenolone
Chemical Formula: C_19H_28O_2
Molecular Weight: ~288 Da (DHEA), ~372 Da (DHEA-S)
Class: Endogenous androgen/preandrogen
DHEA is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans, produced primarily by the adrenal cortex. It serves as a precursor to both androgen and estrogen hormones and has direct biological effects on multiple organ systems including the brain. DHEA levels decline dramatically with age — by approximately 80% between ages 25 and 75 — which has led to interest in supplementation for age-related conditions including neurodegeneration.
| Study | N | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Ravaglia et al. (2006) | 256 | Lower DHEA-S associated with increased AD risk[17] |
| Nasrallah et al. (2019) | 120 | DHEA supplementation improved cognition in mild cognitive impairment[18] |
| GRF2004 | 58 | DHEA 50mg/day showed cognitive benefit in AD patients[19] |
| Study | N | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Sun et al. (2016) | 89 | Lower DHEA-S in PD patients vs. controls; correlated with severity[20] |
| Kim et al. (2019) | 156 | DHEA deficiency associated with non-motor symptoms in PD[21] |
| NCT01715810 | 30 | Completed trial of DHEA in PD (results not fully published)[22] |
| Form | Dose Range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Oral (capsule) | 25-100 mg | Daily |
| Sublingual | 10-50 mg | Daily |
| Topical (cream) | 5-15 mg | Daily |
| Interaction | Effect | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants (warfarin) | May alter metabolism | Monitor INR closely |
| Insulin/sulfonylureas | May affect glucose | Monitor blood sugar |
| Aromatase inhibitors | Alters estrogen conversion | Adjust doses |
| DHEA supplements | Additive effect | Avoid stacking |
At higher doses, DHEA can convert to androgenic hormones:
Priority: Consider — DHEA supplementation may provide modest neuroprotective benefits with favorable safety profile at moderate doses (25-50 mg/day). The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms are relevant to tauopathy pathology. Recommend:
Confidence: Low-Moderate — Mechanistic rationale strong, mixed but generally positive clinical data, well-tolerated with monitoring.
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