Postdok
Anna Kazmierowska, MSc Psykologi, ph.d. i biologi
Bajkgrunn
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) involve testosterone and its synthetic derivatives. They are known for their muscle mass increasing properties and thus are widely used to enhance athletic performance in both professionals and amateurs. As a result of the AAS use, testosterone levels can increase up to 100 times, which can disrupt natural testosterone production and lead to physical and psychiatric consequences. Previous findings of our research group have indicated a range of AAS devastating effects on e.g. structural brain aging, cardiovascular health, cognitive performance, emotional processing and mental health. Particular deficits have also been linked to long AAS use and dependence (being the case in approximately 30% of AAS users).
Metode/design
A follow-up study (round 3) is planned, in which AAS users and weight-lifting controls who have participated in round 2 and/or 1 will be recruited. We hope to collect follow-up measures of brain structure, cardiac structure and function, cognitive performance and psychological well-being. Additionally, we plan to investigate body MR scans (to look at the muscle measures and fat distribution), blood samples (to investigate telomere length and relevant inflammatory markers) and emotional processing (physiological responses to emotional stimuli). Interviews aiming at assessing AAS dependence will also be carried out, and a battery of questionnaires covering topics such as mental health, side effects and motivations to use/quit AAS will be used.
Status
Data collection has started in January 2025.
