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The effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on behavioral, cognitive functions and nervous systems of adolescents

WU Jia-Min, DENG Ying-Yi, WEI Chu-Qian, YAN Jin-Hong^*

Laboratory of Neuromotor Control and Learning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

Abstract

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) is responsible for muscle building and masculinizing. Using AAS can enhance muscle development and strength, and improve athletic performance. AAS abuse is not only seen in sport. Research has shown that there is an increasing number of adolescent AAS abusers. Adolescents are at a critical period of physical and mental development. Sex hormones are one of the important physiological factors affecting the development of their bodies and brains. Long-term or high-dose AAS treatment is likely to cause irreversible damage to their nervous system and psychological behavior, and these effects are easily overlooked. The article reviewed the long-term adverse effects of AAS on psychological behavior, emotion, cognitive functions and the nervous system of adolescents.

Key words: anabolic-androgenic steroids; adolescents; behavior problems; cognitive functions; nervous system

Received: 2018-07-18　　Accepted: 2019-02-01

Corresponding author: 严进洪　　E-mail: motorcl@163.com

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2019.0040

Citing This Article：

WU Jia-Min, DENG Ying-Yi, WEI Chu-Qian, YAN Jin-Hong. The effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on behavioral, cognitive functions and nervous systems of adolescents. Acta Physiol Sin 2019; 71 (3): 463-470 (in Chinese with English abstract).