LAUSR

The term “neurosteroids” is now often employed to describe steroids such as dehydroepiandrostenedione-sulfate (DHEA-S) that is produced inside the hippocampus and other brain regions. The name was then revised to neuroactive steroids (NASs), which are steroids that affect neuronal circuits, including cortisol. NASs influence synaptic behavior and affect learning and cognition processes. This study aimed to determine the influence of NASs on cortical-evoked response potentials and the attentive performance of cognitive tasks. The study utilized an analytical cross-sectional design and was conducted at the physiology outpatient department on 30 young adult male subjects with good physical fitness and in their early twenties to early thirties. The study excluded individuals who had pre-existing cardiovascular problems, unstable coronary syndromes or were involved in severe athletic training. Participants had a median age of 21 years, a mean resting heart rate of 81.03 bpm, an average systolic blood pressure of 116.77 mmHg, and an average diastolic blood pressure of 74.90 mmHg. Cortisol levels were 7.13 ± 3.04 μg/dL, DHEA-S levels were 350.34 ± 89.74 μg/dL, and the cortisol to DHEA-S ratio was 0.023 ± 0.01. Stroop test accuracy was 98.93 ± 1.11% for congruent trials and 96.77 ± 2.02% for incongruent trials, with response times of 23.83 ± 5.27 s and 31.1 ± 5.78 s, respectively. Mini-mental state examination scores correlated significantly with DHEA-S, cortisol, and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio, indicating a possible link between these hormones and cognitive function. The neuroprotective and neuroinhibitory effects of DHEA-S and cortisol are apparent. The anti-glucocorticoid effect of DHEA-S was verified by the observed negative correlation between cortisol and DHEA-S concentration. They exhibit properties that may induce anxiety, trigger seizures, enhance memory, stimulate the growth of new neurons, and offer protection to the nervous system.