Can Propecia Cause Dementia?

Does propecia cause dementia/depression?

I read the following article:
Finasteride causes reductions in allopregnenolone, a potent, endogenous positive modulator of the GABA-A receptor, in very large doses in rodent studies.

5alpha-reductase, which finasteride inhibits, is a critical enzyme in the conversion of several steroids such as testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone and corticosterone in the brain. This enzyme converts testosterone to the most natural potent androgen DHT, and also it acts an important role in conversion of progesterone to dihhydroprogesterone (DHP). DHP is further converted to allopregnenolone (5alpha, 3alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone) by 3alpha-HSD. Allopregnanolone is a modulator of gamma amino butyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A), and increases chloride conductance. This neurosteroid has been found to exert anti-convulsant, anesthetic and anxiolytic effects. Moreover, change in the levels of allopregnanolone is found to be associated with depressive disorders.

I have used propecia for 7 months now and have not been depressed or experienced dementia. What is going on here?

The article you’re quoting is: Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study

First off, we are not rats or rodents. Well, not all of us. The article may point to a theoretical possibility, but there are no observations in the clinical literature that would support this. Some drugs have these “potential” side effects. If you look hard enough, I’m sure you can find this type of research on many types of drugs. I really don’t know the clinical “real life” significance of this study.