Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA

Name: Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA
Synonym: DHEA
CAS: 53-43-0
Molecular Formula: C19H28O2
Molecular Weight: 288.43
Melting Point: 146-151 ºC
Major Functions:
A randomised UK study found that a 7-day course of DHEA (150 mg twice daily) improved episodic memory in healthy young men. In this study, DHEA was also shown to improve subjective mood and decrease evening cortisol concentration, which is known to be elevated in depression. The effect of DHEA on memory appeared to be related to an early activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and it was suggested this was due to neuronal recruitment of the steroid sensitive ACC that may be involved in pre-hippocampal memory processing.
DHEA supplements are sometimes used as muscle-building or performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. A 1986 study found that a higher level of endogenous DHEA, as determined by a single measurement, correlated with a lower risk of death or cardiovascular disease.
In the United States, DHEA or DHEAS have been advertised with claims that they may be beneficial for a wide variety of ailments. DHEA and DHEAS are readily available in the United States, where they are marketed as over-the-counter dietary supplements.