Apoptosis in steroid use

A study conducted to test the relationship between high levels of testosterone and brain function was conducted by Yale School of Medicine. They obtained cultured nerve cells and introduced high levels of testosterone in the samples. It was observed that upon introduction of testosterone, the cells were noticed to undergo apoptosis, a medical condition commonly found in neurologic patients afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's Disease. This condition is characterized by a programmed cell death (PCD). The cell's membrane disintegrates and even without acute cell injury, it simply dies. This, according to Professor Ehrlich from Yale School of Medicine may lead to severe loss of brain cells and may cause the brain to shrink in size. Human brain cells are known to be the only cells in the body that do not re- generate.

Aside from this study, it was also concluded earlier that too much steroids can indeed increase muscle mass but can also heighten male aggression. This is commonly known as “ steroid rage”. Anabolic steroids were found to affect normal adolescent hamsters used during a research. They were found to be more aggressive after taking in the steroids and was even found to continue exhibiting aggression after the drug was withdrawn.

From Professor Barbara Ehrlich of Yale School of Medicine:

“Large doses of steroids were already known to boost levels of the male hormone testosterone and cause heightened aggression.

This could be evidence of impaired brain function, according to Professor Barbara Ehrlich, from Yale School of Medicine.

"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad," she said.

"Just take a deep breath and realise that it might not be his fault."