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Research conducted by
Addenbrooke's Hospital was
presented at the DHEA LECTURE on the 25 May, 2002. A
report on the presentation follows:
There was a strong turnout to hear
Professor Chatterjee and the research team from
Addenbrooke’s Hospital talk about the early findings from
the 12 month clinical trial on DHEA. Over 100 people
attended the lecture, which was held in Maida Vale, west
London, around half of them family and friends of
Addisonians. Around 40 people then adjourned to the
house of Katherine White for a cup of tea or coffee –
where it was standing room only.
Dr Eleanor Gurnell gave the
background to the clinical studies, including the findings
from the earlier three month trial of DHEA hormone
replacement. She explained that although DHEA is the
hormone produced in largest quantities by the adrenal
glands, relatively little is known about what it does.
Being deficient in DHEA is not life-threatening for those
with adrenal insufficiency. But until the late 1990s
there had been no scientific studies on what happens when
DHEA is restored to ‘normal’ levels in people with adrenal
insufficiency.
There were 106 volunteers taking
part in the 12 month clinical trial, half of them on a
placebo. Even the medical team conducting the study did
not know who was on the placebo and who was on the real
thing until the end of the trial. The medical team took
measurements of blood levels of DHEA and related hormones,
bone density, muscle mass and other aspects of physical
health, as well as monitoring memory, cognitive function
and the individual’s mood, fatigue and sense of
well-being. The complete analysis of these measurements
will not be finished for another few months. However, the
trial may indicate that 50mg of DHEA was too high a dose
for some women who experienced some uncomfortable side
effects such as spots and greasy skin. The full analysis
may also show that 50mg is too small a dose for some
larger men.
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