DHEA-S plasma levels and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Cross-sectional studies controlling for age and gender reported a relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and low dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) plasma levels. Prospective data with sufficient control for confounding factors are lacking. Methods: A nested case–control study examined baseline DHEA-S in participants of the Berlin Aging Study. Cases (n = 14) developed dementia of the Alzheimer type within 3 years. Control group A (n = 14) was matched for gender, age, multimorbidity, and immobility. Control group B (n = 13) was matched for gender and age and comprised participants free from multimorbidity, immobility, multimedication, need of help, incontinence, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and depression. Results: The mean plasma DHEA-S concentration of case subjects was 1.02 ± 0.61 μmol/L. Both control groups had higher mean DEHA-S levels, in control group A, it was 1.89 ± 1.24 μmol/L (p = .012) and in control group B 1.70 ± 1.38 μmol/L (p = .093). Conclusions: This population-based prospective study supports the role of DHEA-S as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.