Case report

THE ROLE OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA) IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Bjanka Vuksan-Ćusa orcid.org/0000-0001-6375-6102 ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, School of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Marina Šagud orcid.org/0000-0001-9620-2181 ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Radoš ; Psychiatric Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Neurosteroid dehydropiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate (DHEAS) are reported to have modulatory effects on neuronal
excitabillity and synaptic plasticity. DHEA and DHEAS are synthesized in central and peripheral nervous system from cholesterol or
steroidal precursors imported from peripheral sources. There is accumulating evidence that alterations in DHEA(S) levels may be
involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The possible effects of DHEA(S) as augmentation therapy in schizophrenia, related
to psychological and somatic aspects of this disease, are discussed.

Keywords

schizophrenia – dehydroepiandrosterone – DHEA – DHEAS - augmentation therapy

Hrčak ID:

154748

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/154748

Publication date:

29.3.2016.

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