improve symptoms of schizophrenia.^7 Brown et al. cite one six-week trial of DHEA with 30
patients with schizophrenia which resulted in significant reductions in negative symptoms.
They also cite a larger 12-week study of 40 patients that found that DHEA of up to 150 mg
per day reduced negative symptoms. From this, they suggest that: “The effects of DHEA in
reducing negative symptoms and medication side effects may be due to several
mechanisms. DHEA potentiates N-methyl-D-aspertate (NMDA)-receptor activity, suppresses
GABA inhibition, enhances frontal dopamine release, and enhances sigma- receptor
activity.”^8
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: COGNITION: Although DHEA improves memory and
brain activation in EEG studies, a three month study of normal older men found no change
in cognition or well-being.^9 Recent studies have not supported the use of DHEA for
neuroprotection.
- CAUTION: Because of its substantial side-effects and the significant constraints of past
studies, DHEA use requires CAUTION until more is known about its effectiveness and about
the potential that 7-keto DHEA may be equally effective while reducing or eliminating
hormonal side effects.
- DRUG INTERACTIONS:
DHEA may increase blood sugar levels and thus affect people with diabetes. This means
that people with severe diabetes should not consider DHEA supplementation.
Medication adjustments may be necessary, since many medicines affect blood sugar
levels. The same is true of herbs. Thus, doses of arginine, cocoa, ephedra or melatonin
(which raise sugar levels) should be adjusted when taking DHEA. Serum glucose levels
should be monitored while using DHEA.
DHEA may increase the risk of bleeding or blood clotting. Thus, persons who take
anticoagulants or anti-platelet drugs to prevent blood clots should discuss the use of
DHEA with a healthcare professional. These drugs include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin,
