Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life: The DHEA and Well-Ness (DAWN) Trial

Donna Kritz-Silverstein PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Denise Von Mühlen MD, PhD,

Denise Von Mühlen MD, PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Gail A. Laughlin PhD,

Gail A. Laughlin PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Ricki Bettencourt MS,

Ricki Bettencourt MS

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Donna Kritz-Silverstein PhD,

Donna Kritz-Silverstein PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Denise Von Mühlen MD, PhD,

Denise Von Mühlen MD, PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Gail A. Laughlin PhD,

Gail A. Laughlin PhD

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

Ricki Bettencourt MS,

Ricki Bettencourt MS

Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 07 August 2008

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01768.x

Citations: 65

Address correspondence to Donna Kritz-Silverstein, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 0631-C, La Jolla, CA 92093-0631. E-mail: [email protected]

Share a link

Email
Facebook
x
LinkedIn
Reddit
Wechat

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on cognitive function and quality of life in healthy older adults.

DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

SETTING: Clinical research facility.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred ten men and 115 women aged 55 to 85 (mean ± standard deviation 68 ± 8).

INTERVENTION: Fifty milligrams daily oral DHEA versus placebo for 1 year.

MEASUREMENTS: Six cognitive function tests at baseline and 12 months, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the Life Satisfaction Index-Z, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Female Sexual Function Index (in women), and the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (in men) at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS: There were no differences between the DHEA and placebo groups in change over time in cognitive function (P>.10). Over time, BDI scores decreased for men (P=.006) and women (P=.02), and Satisfaction with Life Scale scores increased for women (P=.004), but there were no differences between the DHEA and placebo groups over time on these measures or the SF-36, Life Satisfaction Index-Z scale, or sexual function scales (P>.10).

CONCLUSION: DHEA supplementation has no benefit on cognitive performance or well-being in healthy older adults, and it should not be recommended for that purpose in the general population.

REFERENCES

1 Orentreich N, Brind L, Rizer R et al. Age changes and sex differences in serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations throughout adulthood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1984; 59: 551–555.
10.1210/jcem-59-3-551
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
2 Hoffman SW, Virmani S, Simkins RM et al. The delayed administration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate improves recovery of function after traumatic brain injury in rats. J Neurotrauma 2003; 20: 859–870.
10.1089/089771503322385791
PubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
3 Berr C, Lafont S, Debuire B et al. Relationships of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the elderly with functional, psychological and mental status, and short-term mortality: A French community-based study. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1996; 93: 13410–13415.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
4 Glei DA, Goldman N, Weinstein M et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and health: Does the relationship differ by sex? Exp Gerontol 2004; 39: 321–331.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
5 Barrett-Connor E, Edelstein S. A prospective study of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cognitive function in an older population: The Rancho Bernardo Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1994; 42: 420–423.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
6 Berkman LF, Seeman TE, Albert M et al. High, usual and impaired functioning in community dwelling older men and women: Findings from the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on successful aging. J Clin Epidemiol 1993; 46: 1129–1140.
PubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
7 Barrett-Connor E, Von Muhlen D, Laughlin GA et al. Endogenous levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, but not other sex hormones, are associated with depressed mood in older women: The Rancho Bernardo Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999; 47: 685–691.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
8 Sunderland T, Merril C, Harrington M et al. Reduced plasma dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet 1989; 2: 570.
10.1016/S0140-6736(89)90700-9
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
9 Van Niekerk JK, Huppert FA, Herbert J. Salivary cortisol and DHEA: Association with measures of cognition and well-being in normal older men, and effects of three months of DHEA supplementation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2001; 26: 591–612.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
10 Mortola JF, Yen SSC. The effects of oral dehydroepiadrosterone on endocrine-metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990; 71: 696–704.
10.1210/jcem-71-3-696
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
11 Yen SSC, Morales AJ, Khorram O. Replacement of DHEA in aging men and women. Potential remedial effects. Ann NY Acad Sci 1995; 774: 128–142.
10.1111/j.1749-6632.1995.tb17377.x
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
12 Wolkowitz O, Feus V, Roberts E et al. Antidepressant and cognition-enhancing effects of DHEA in major depression. Ann NY Acad Sci 1995; 774: 337–339.
10.1111/j.1749-6632.1995.tb17403.x-i1
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
13 Wolf OT, Neuman O, Hellhammer DH et al. Effects of a two-week physiological dehydroepiandrosterone substitution on cognitive performance and well-being in healthy elderly women and men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82: 2363–2367.
10.1210/jc.82.7.2363
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
14 Wolf OT, Kudielka BM, Hellhammer DH et al. Opposing effects of DHEA replacement in elderly subjects on declarative memory and attention after exposure to a laboratory stressor. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1998; 23: 617–629.
10.1016/S0306-4530(98)00032-8
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
15 Grimley Evans J, Malouf R, Huppert F et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for cognitive function in healthy elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;18;CD006221.
Google Scholar
16 Barnhart KT, Freeman E, Grisso JA et al. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation to symptomatic perimenopausal women on serum endocrine profiles, lipid parameters, and health related quality of life. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999; 84: 3896–3902.
10.1210/jc.84.11.3896
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
17 Finckh A, Berner IC, Aubry-Rozier B et al. A randomized controlled trial of dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 2005; 32: 1336–1340.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
18 Arlt W, Callies F, Allolio B. DHEA replacement in women with adrenal insufficiency—pharmacokinetics, bioconversion and clinical effects on well-being, sexuality and cognition. Endocr Res 2000; 26: 505–511.
10.3109/07435800009048561
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
19 Parsons TD, Kratz KM, Thompson E et al. DHEA supplementation and cognition in postmenopausal women. Int J Neurosci 2006; 116: 141–155.
10.1080/00207450500341506
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
20 Bovenberg SA, Van Uum SH, Hermus AR. Dehydroepiandrosterone administration in humans: Evidence based? Neth J Med 2005; 63: 300–304.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
21 Von Muhlen D, Laughlin GA, Kritz-Silverstein D et al. The Dehydroepiandrosterone and WellNess (DAWN) study: Research design and methods. Contemp Clin Trials 2007; 28: 153–268.
CASWeb of Science®Google Scholar
22 Teng EL, Chui HC. The Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) Examination. J Clin Psychiatr 1987; 48: 314–318.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
23 Fromm-Auch D, Yeudall LT. Normative data for the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological tests. J Clin Neuropsychol 1983; 5: 221–238.
10.1080/01688638308401171
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
24 Borkowski JG, Benton AL, Spreen O. Word fluency and brain damage. Neuropsychologia 1967; 5: 135–140.
10.1016/0028-3932(67)90015-2
Web of Science®Google Scholar
25 Kaplan E, Goodglass H, Weintraub S. The Boston Naming Test. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger, 1982.
Google Scholar
26 Buschke H, Fuld PA. Evaluating storage, retention, and retrieval in disordered memory and learning. Neurology 1974; 24: 1019–1025.
10.1212/WNL.24.11.1019
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
27 Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M et al. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatr 1961; 4: 561–571.
10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
28 Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD. The MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care 1992; 30: 473–483.
10.1097/00005650-199206000-00002
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
29 Wood V, Wylie ML, Sheafor B. An analysis of a short self-report measure of life satisfaction: Correlation with rater judgements. J Gerontol 1969; 24: 465–469.
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
30 Diener E, Emmons RA, Larson RJ et al. The satisfaction with life scale. J Pers Assess 1985; 49: 71–75.
10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar
31 Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther 2000; 26: 191–208.
CASWeb of Science®Google Scholar
32 Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G et al. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF): A multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction. Urology 1997; 49: 822–830.
Google Scholar
33 Von Muhlen D, Laughlin G, Kritz-Silverstein D et al. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on bone mineral density, bone markers, and body composition in older adults. The DAWN Trial. Osteoporosis Int 2007 Dec 15 [Epub ahead of print].
Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume56, Issue7

July 2008

Pages 1292-1298

Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life: The DHEA and Well-Ness (DAWN) Trial

Abstract

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life: The DHEA and Well-Ness (DAWN) Trial

Abstract

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information