Abstract
Illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has become widespread and is considered a public health problem worldwide. Approximately 30% of AAS users develop a dependence syndrome characterized by a maladaptive pattern of AAS use, causing clinically significant impairment or distress. The present thesis explores biological, psychological and cognitive aspects of AAS dependence. The results demonstrate that AAS dependence is associated with thinner cerebral cortex, especially in areas involved in complex cognitive functions and emotion regulation. In line with this, the dependent AAS users showed poorer executive functioning and reduced ability to recognize emotions. Generally, the AAS dependent group appeared to be a vulnerable population, scoring significantly higher on measures of anxiety, depression, antisocial personality traits and aggressive behavior, compared to AAS non-dependent users and non-using weightlifters. Clinically, it is important to consider the complexity of symptoms accompanying AAS dependence, where an interdisciplinary focus is needed in order to provide optimal treatment.
List of papers
| Paper I: Hauger, L. E., Westlye, L.T., Fjell, A.M., Walhovd, K.B. & Bjørnebekk, A.K. (2019). Structural brain characteristics of anabolic–androgenic steroid dependence in men. Addiction 114, 1405-1415. doi: 10.1111/add.14629. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14629 |
| Paper II: Hauger, L.E., Sagoe, D., Vaskinn, A., Arnevik, E.A., Leknes, S., Jørstad, M.L., Bjørnebekk, A., (2019). Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with impaired emotion recognition. Psychopharmacology, 236, 2667–2676. doi: 10.1007/s00213-019-05239-7. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05239-7 |
| Paper III: Hauger, L. E., Westlye, L.T. & Bjørnebekk, A.K. (2020). Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with executive dysfunction. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 208. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107874. The article is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107874 |