Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a naturally occurring hormone that might help schizophrenic patients cope with the symptoms of their disease when taken in supplement form. The evidence is limited as of 2011, however, and the use of DHEA is not meant to supplant a patient's usual treatment. Combating or easing schizophrenia is likely to take multiple methods of treatment for most patients.
Schizophrenia
The mental disorder schizophrenia affects about 1 percent of the population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There is no known cause of schizophrenia, but in some cases there may be a genetic component. The disease produces two types of symptoms, often referred to as positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions and paranoid thoughts. Negative symptoms include social withdrawal, blunted emotions and a lack of the ability to plan events. Schizophrenics also often experience anxiety and depression.
DHEA
DHEA, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal gland, acts as a precursor to the hormones estrogen and testosterone. As you age, DHEA levels drop and they also are found at lower levels in people with some psychiatric disorders, such as depression. Synthetic DHEA can be made using wild yam and soy and can be taken for a variety of conditions affecting both the body and brain. Preliminary studies have found evidence that DHEA might be a potential treatment for schizophrenia, but the research remains limited and further studies are needed.
Evidence
A small 2003 study in the "Archives of General Psychiatry" found that supplemental DHEA relieved the symptoms of 30 schizophrenic patients when taken along with their usual medication for six weeks. During the study, negative symptoms, depression and anxiety decreased, but positive symptoms remained unaffected. The dosage of DHEA used in the study was 25mg daily for two weeks, increased to 50mg a day divided into two doses for the next two weeks and increased to 100mg a day divided into two doses for the final two weeks.
Considerations
Studies on the use of DHEA in schizophrenic patients have focused on using it as an adjunct therapy to regular medication and psychiatric treatment. Using DHEA might also reduce the side effects of some medications used for schizophrenia. Do not attempt to use DHEA in place of regular treatment and discuss using DHEA with your doctor before trying it. DHEA as a treatment for schizophrenia may be more effective in women than in men, according to MedlinePlus.
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