Prasterone was under development for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in the United States and Europe in the 1990s and 2000s and reached phase III clinical trials and preregistration for this indication, respectively, but ultimately development was not continued past 2010. Memory
Prasterone supplementation has not been found to be useful for memory function in normal middle aged or older adults. It has been studied as a treatment for Alzheimers disease, but there is no evidence that it is effective or ineffective. More research is needed to determine its benefits. Mood
A few small, short term clinical studies have found that prasterone improves mood but its long-term efficacy and safety, and how it compares to antidepressants, was unknown as of 2015. References
Further reading
Keppel Hesselink JM (December 1997). "[Prasterone (dihydroepiandrosterone): a modern source of eternal youth?]". Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd (in Dutch). 141 (51): 2484–7. PMID 9555138. Zelissen PM, Thijssen JH (October 2001). "[Role of prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone) in substitution therapy for adrenocortical insufficiency]". Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd (in Dutch). 145 (42): 2018–22. PMID 11695098. Pope, JE; Cupp, MJ; Tracy, TS (2003). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (Prasterone). Dietary Supplements. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 123–147. doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-303-3_8 (inactive 31 July 2022). ISBN 9781592593033. {{cite book}}:  CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2022 (link)
Kocis P (November 2006). "Prasterone". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 63 (22): 2201–10. doi:10.2146/ajhp060100. PMID 17090740. Mendivil Dacal JM, Borges VM (April 2009). "[Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), review of its efficiency in the managing of the libido decrease and other symptoms of aging]". Actas Urol Esp (in Spanish). 33 (4): 390–401. doi:10.4321/s0210-48062009000400009.
Side effects
Prasterone is produced naturally in the human body, but the long-term effects of its use are largely unknown. In the short term, several studies have noted few adverse effects. In a study by Chang et al., prasterone was administered at a dose of 200 mg/day for 24 weeks with slight androgenic effects noted. Another study utilized a dose up to 400 mg/day for 8 weeks with few adverse events reported. A longer-term study followed patients dosed with 50 mg of prasterone for 12 months with the number and severity of side effects reported to be small. Another study delivered a dose of 50 mg of prasterone for 10 months with no serious adverse events reported.As a hormone precursor, there have been reports of side effects possibly caused by the hormone metabolites of prasterone.It is not known whether prasterone is safe for long-term use. Some researchers believe prasterone supplements might actually raise the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Prasterone may stimulate tumor growth in types of cancer that are sensitive to hormones, such as some types of breast, uterine, and prostate cancer. Prasterone may increase prostate swelling in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate gland.Prasterone is a steroid hormone. High doses may cause aggressiveness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and the growth of body or facial hair on women. It also may stop menstruation and lower the levels of HDL cholesterol, which could raise the risk of heart disease.