Steroids are common medicines used to treat inflammation from conditions like asthma, allergies, arthritis, and bowel diseases.
While they are helpful in easing symptoms, steroids can also cause unwanted side effects. Many people know about mood swings and trouble sleeping, but a new study shows they may also affect memory and learning.
Scientists from the University of Bristol found that even using steroids for a short time can change how the brain works. Their study focused on how these drugs impact memory.
To explore this, the researchers studied rats. They gave the rats steroids and then tested their ability to remember things. The results were clear: the rats had trouble with memory tasks, even after just a brief time on the medicine.
They also discovered that a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for memory and learning, was directly affected by the steroids. This is important because it shows that the memory problems are not just caused by the illnesses steroids are meant to treat. The steroids themselves can harm memory, even in healthy individuals.
This was the first study to prove that steroids can directly cause memory issues, separate from any disease. Before this, doctors weren’t sure whether memory problems in patients came from the medication or the condition being treated.
The study also found that timing matters. The rats only had memory problems when they got the steroids while they were active. When they were resting or sleeping, the steroids didn’t affect their memory as much.
Another finding was that using steroids for too long made the medicine less effective and caused mental fog. This shows how important it is for doctors to think carefully about when and how long to prescribe steroids.
These discoveries help doctors understand more about how steroids affect the brain. This could lead to better ways of using these medicines and possibly new treatments for memory problems in the future.
If you’re using steroids or are worried about memory loss, there are ways to protect your brain. Regular exercise helps improve blood flow to the brain. Good sleep is also very important for memory. Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains supports brain health too.
You can also keep your brain sharp by doing puzzles, reading, or learning new things. Reducing stress through deep breathing, yoga, or spending time with friends is also helpful. And it’s best to avoid too much alcohol or drug use, as these can hurt your brain over time.
This study was led by Dr. Matthew T. Birnie and was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It gives new insight into how steroids work and reminds us to use them carefully.
More research is needed, but these findings are an important step toward understanding and reducing the side effects of a medicine that many people rely on.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
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