So Iโve been getting a lot of DMโs (18 and counting) regarding the effects of AAS and neurodegeneracy, is it real, how it happens, can it be minimized, etc. (PS if I don't respond, stop being a little bitch about it. I have a life too and cant get to all of ya'll. I'll get to you, wait in line) So hereโs my quick write up of the biggest players.
TL; DR is at the bottom. Feel free to skip anything with a bullet point, those are just quotes from studies I thought were relevant
What is neurodegeneration? Neurodegeneration (irreversible tissue loss) defines the gradual and progressive deterioration in neuronal functions such as movement, motivation, and memory due to the structural alterations of neurons or neuron death. These changes give rise to accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, and the loss of mitochondria functions.
Letโs start with testosterone.
"It has been demonstrated that testosterone is neuroprotective in healthy male subjects. On the other hand, the neuroprotective features of testosterone is reduced with increased age and then leads to enhanced ROS production and neurodegeneration." So which one is it? Well, it's both. The effect is dependent on plasma levels of testosterone.
Testosterone has bidirectional effects; it is both an antioxidant and oxidative stressor and this dependent on the condition of the brain. In short it is both neurodegenerative and neuroprotective depending on certain conditions. Those conditions are greatly correlated with plasma testosterone levels.
Neurodegenerative effects: How do they happen? Via the destruction of dopaminergic neurons within the Substantia Nigra. This is the same degeneration that occurs in Parkinsonโs disease. This happens with SUPRAPHYSIOLOGICAL/HYPER-ANDROGENIC LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE.
- โIt has been reported that testosterone can enhance oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic neurons in rats and then leads to loss of dopamine neurons and neurodegenerationโ
Now what happens with too little testosterone? Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA, or Kennedyโs Disease). SBMA is a progressive debilitating neurodegenerative disorder resulting in muscle cramps and progressive weakness due to degeneration of motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. Thankfully, this is a genetic disease due a mutation in the androgen receptor gene. That being said, males with decreased testosterone levels will still experience the neurodegenerative symptoms but can be treate
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