Brain uptake and metabolism of sulphated steroid hormones

What is it about?

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulphate (PregS) are both neuroactive steroid hormones. Here we show that both are actively taken-up from the circulation by the brain and rapidly metabolised to other steroids in the process.

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Why is it important?

The steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is widely sold as an anti-ageing supplement but our results suggest this might not be in its best form for the body to use. We found that a different form – dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) – which is made naturally by the body, might have a better anti-ageing effect on the brain. DHEAS is already known to be the major steroid hormone circulating in the blood of young adult humans and its levels decline with age. Now, it has been found to be absorbed extremely quickly across the blood-brain barrier – a barrier formed by the cells which surround the blood vessels in the brain - and converted into other steroids in the process. In other words, DHEAS is acting as a prohormone supplying steroids to the brain. These steroids are important for brain function, countering the damaging effects of stress, possibly guarding against dementia and also maintaining female libido with age. The challenge for the future is to find ways of selectively elevating DHEAS in the bloodstream. By comparison, the currently available oral DHEA supplements appear a crude treatment for combating brain ageing.