Both the brain’s structure and size change after using these commonly prescribed medications.
• • Advertising Disclosure
Patients who use certain types of prescribed steroids — including inhalers that treat asthma long-term — may experience changes to their brain’s structure and size, according to a new study.
These medications — glucocorticoids, a class of synthetic steroids — affect white and gray matter in the brain and might lead to neuropsychiatric effects, according to a study published in the medical research journal BMJ Open.
The study is the largest of its kind, and its results support earlier, smaller research findings.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms related to long-term use of such prescribed steroids may include:
The researchers — who acknowledge that the medications are “very effective” in treating a large variety of conditions — say that in the past, the use of systemic steroids (such as infusions and pills) and inhaled steroids also has been linked to metabolic, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal side effects.
As part of the recent study, researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank on people ages 40 to 69.
The researchers looked at MRI brain scans of hundreds of people who use systemic or inhaled steroids. These scans were then compared with scans of thousands of people who do not use any steroids.
The brains of those who use systemic or inhaled steroids had less intact white matter than those of nonusers, the researchers found. The effects were greater in those who use systemic steroids than those who use inhaled steroids.
White brain matter is involved in connecting and signaling neurons (nerve cells).
According to a summary of the researchers’ findings from BMJ Open, which is published by the British Medical Association:
“Systemic [steroid] use was associated with a larger caudate compared with no use, while use of inhaled steroids was associated with a smaller amygdala. Both the caudate and amygdala are grey matter structures in the brain involved in cognitive and emotional processing.”
In addition, the researchers say that:
The researchers did sound a note of caution about the findings, saying that although a causal relationship between steroid use and brain changes is likely, a formal conclusion about a direct, cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established from the study.
In addition, CNN warns people not to mistake glucocorticoid inhalers for the type of quick-relief inhalers used to stop an asthma attack. According to CNN:
“Quick-relief inhalers contain non-steroid medications that relax the muscles in the lungs, such as albuterol, levalbuterol and pirbuterol, which can open airways in minutes. Inhaled corticosteroids do not work in emergencies — they are prescribed for longer-term control of inflammatory conditions.”
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
Like Article Add a Comment
Simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily:
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Every week our podcasts bring you lively money discussions that will give you a few laughs along with advice that will make you richer.
Listen/Subscribe
Some of our favorite stories for you to read next.
Join our free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2022 Money Talks News. All Rights Reserved.
1 (833) 669-8557 | 1732 1st Ave #26661, New York, NY 10128
Advertising Disclosure: This site may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.
Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.
Get Started
Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.
Please enable JavaScript to view comments.
Join happy subscribers and sign up for our free newsletter! You’ll get:
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
About Author
