DHEA has been identified as a player in bipolar disorder. In particular, DHEA affects the stress hormone cortisol that is known by the scientific community to contribute to neuropathologies such as bipolar disorder. Since DHEA works with cortisol, it may help relieve the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, the advice of a medical professional should be sought before trying to prevent, treat or cure any psychiatric condition with alternative therapies.
Need
Bipolar disorder is difficult to treat, in part due to the fluctuating states of mood. In particular, the depression side of bipolar disorder tends to dominate the course of the disorder. Further, bipolar-related depression is more difficult to treat with pharmaceuticals than the mania side of bipolar depression. Therefore, clinical investigations of alternative treatments have been scientifically examined, according to an article published in 2009 in "Milestones in Drug Therapy."
Pathway
The HPA axis is a system including the brain and the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. The HPA axis is highly involved with the response to physical and psychological stress. People with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, tend to have an elevated sensitivity to stress compared to people without any mood disorder, according to an article published in "The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes." The body of scientific evidence suggests that a dysfunctional HPA axis leads to an overproduction of chemicals in the brain in some patients, as the researchers note.
Biochemistry
Cortisol is the most essential glucocorticoid in humans. It regulates the heart, immune system and metabolism. However, too much cortisol, or hypercortisolaemia, is considered by scientists to be a causal and worsening factor for many psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder, according to a study published in February 2007 in "Schizophrenia Research." Patients with bipolar disorder tend to display hypercortisolaemia during the afternoon hours, as the study found. This indicates a dysfunctional HPA axis stress response. DHEA, a steroid found in the adrenal glands, has antiglucocorticoid properties, meaning that it can regulate cortisol activity. Researchers concluded that DHEA has the ability to reduce cortisol levels in the brain.
Balance
Too much DHEA can actually lead to mania for some patients, according to a case study published in 2000 in the "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy." Those under 35 are particularly at risk for DHEA-induced mania since DHEA productions peeks from the ages of 20 to 30. Therefore, supplementing with over-the-counter DHEA can lead to too much in the body and therefore contribute to mania in this subset of the population, according to researchers. Other risk factors include street drug and alcohol usage.
References
- "Schizophrenia Research": Plasma Cortisol-Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Ratios in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
- SpringerLink: "The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes.":Can the Cortisol to DHEA Molar Ratio be Used as a Peripheral Biomarker for Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders?
- "The Annals of Pharmacotherapy": Prasterone (DHEA) and Mania
- SpringerLink: "Milestones in Drug Therapy": Bipolar Depression: Molecular Neurobiology, Clinical Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy
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