Supraphysiological testosterone levels from anabolic steroid use and reduced sensitivity to negative facial expressions in men.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used to improve physical performance and appearance, but have been associated with deficits in social cognitive functioning. Approximately 30% of people who use AAS develop a dependence, increasing the risk for undesired effects.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between AAS use (current/previous), AAS dependence, and the ability to recognize emotional facial expressions, and investigate the potential mediating role of hormone levels.

Methods

In total 156 male weightlifters, including those with current (n = 45) or previous (n = 34) AAS use and never-using controls (n = 77), completed a facial Emotion Recognition Task (ERT). Participants were presented with faces expressing one out of six emotions (sadness, happines

SUBMITTER: Scarth M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10927904 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature