NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EFFECTS OF ANABOLIC-STEROIDS IN MALE NORMAL VOLUNTEERS

Objective.-To evaluate the acute effects of anabolic steroids on mood and behavior in male normal volunteers. Design.-A 2-week, double-blind (subject and rater), fixed-order, placebo-controlled crossover trial of methyltestosterone. Setting.-An inpatient research unit at the Nati onal Institutes of Health. Subjects.-A volunteer sample of 20 men who were medication free, free of medical and psychiatric illness, not inv olved in athletic training, and had no prior history of anabolic stero id use. Intervention.-A sequential trial for 3 days each of the follow ing four drug conditions: placebo baseline, low-dose methyltestosteron e (40 mg/d), high-dose methyltestosterone (240 mg/d), and placebo with drawal. Main Outcome Measures.-Mood and behavioral ratings were comple ted during each drug condition and included both subjective and object ive measures. Results.-Significant (P<.05) albeit subtle increases in symptom scores were observed during high-dose methyltestosterone admin istration compared with baseline in positive mood (euphoria, energy, a nd sexual arousal), negative mood (irritability, mood swings, violent feelings, and hostility), and cognitive impairment (distractibility, f orgetfulness, and confusion). An acute manic episode was observed in o ne of the 20 subjects, representing a 5% incidence, even under these c onservative conditions. An additional subject became hypomanic. Baseli ne characteristics including family psychiatric history or previous dr ug abuse did not predict symptom changes. Conclusion.-This is the firs t placebo-controlled prospective study demonstrating the adverse and a ctivating mood and behavioral effects of anabolic steroids.