This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Some info on testoserone and estrogen and their effects on the brain.


Too much testosterone kills brain cells: study

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers said on Tuesday in a finding that may help explain why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes like aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.

Tests on brain cells in lab dishes showed that while a little of the male hormone is good, too much of it causes cells to self-destruct in a process similar to that seen in brain illnesses such as Alzheimer's.

"Too little testosterone is bad, too much is bad but the right amount is perfect," said Barbara Ehrlich of Yale University in Connecticut, who led the study.

Testosterone is key to the development, differentiation and growth of cells and is produced by both men and women, although men produce about 20 times more of the hormone.

It can also be abused, and recent scandals have involved athletes who use the hormone, or steroids that turn into testosterone in the body, for an unfair advantage.

"Other people have shown that high levels of steroid can cause behavioral changes," Ehrlich said in a telephone interview.

"We can show that when you have high levels of steroids, you have high testosterone and that can destroy the nerve cells. We know that when you lose brain cells you lose function."

Ehrlich's team tried the same thing with the "female" hormone estrogen, just to be fair.

"We were surprised, but it actually looks like estrogen is neuroprotective. If anything, there is less cell death in the presence of estrogen," she said.

Writing in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Ehrlich and colleagues said their findings meant people should think twice about supplementing with testosterone, even if it does build muscle mass and aid recovery after exercise.

"These effects of testosterone on neurons will have long term effects on brain function," they wrote.

"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad -- just take a deep breath and realize that it might not be his fault," Ehrlich said in a statement.

The cells die via a process called apoptosis, also known as cell suicide or programmed cell death.

"Apoptosis is an important thing for the brain -- the brain needs to weed out some of the cells. But when it happens too frequently, you lose too many cells and causes problems."

A similar process is seen in
Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in the United States, affecting an estimated 4.5 million Americans, and Huntington's disease, another fatal brain illness.

"Our results suggest that the responses to elevated testosterone can be compared with these pathophysiological conditions," the researchers wrote.

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Dunmann.

Excellent info Dunmann

It's exactly why I think it's so vital to have all hormone levels tested, monitored and to stay within the "normal" range, i.e., balanced. There are lots of unknowns and high levels can be quite dangerous--as this research indicates.

Thanks!

Sharon

Footnote--In the recent testosterone trial it's my understanding the testosterone levels of all men were still within the normal range even with the testosterone dose used in the trial.

This is interesting stuff. Personally speaking, changes in my hormonal levels ie. in pregancy, withing 3 months following both deliveries, changes in contraception seemed to coincide with exacerbation of my ms symptoms. Was this purely coincidental? Or are hormonal levels one of a number of "triggers"?
Muu

Muu
the changes of hormones after pregnancy is a much attested trigger.
WW

WW,
Thanks for clarifying this. Each time I log on and read the postings of other members I realise just how much there is to learn and just how little I know about this disease. The knowledge and wisdom I have found here is both impressive and humbling. i think the saying is "know your opponent". Well ms is mine and slowly and surely I am getting to know him (sorry guys- he has to be male!) Thank you all for time spent in finding and posting all this info.
Muu