Steroids and brain

Steroids that give athletes bulging muscles may also cause their brains to shrink.


New study shows taking steroids to bulk up can lead to a "catastrophic loss" of brain cells.
Large doses of steroids were already known to boost levels of the male hormone testosterone and cause heightened aggression.

This could be evidence of impaired brain function, according to Professor Barbara Ehrlich, from Yale School of Medicine.

"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 realise that it might not be his fault."



To test the theory, Prof Ehrlich's team exposed cultured nerve cells to testosterone. They found high levels of the hormone triggered programmed cell "suicide", or apoptosis.

Apoptosis is associated with several neurological illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Huntingdon's disease.
Anger brought on by steroid use is well known among bodybuilders who refer to it as "roid rage".

Another recent study found normally placid adolescent hamsters given anabolic steroids become incredibly aggressive.
The animals continued to bite and chase intruders for a fortnight after the drug was withdrawn.