Merck & Co., Inc.

The Merck Manual of Geriatrics logo
red line
click here to go to the Contents page of The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
click here to go to the title page of The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
click here to search The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
click here to go to the Index of The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
red line
Section 8. Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders
Chapter 66. Hormonal Supplementation
Topics:    Introduction | Estrogen | Testosterone | Pregnenolone | Dehydroepiandrosterone | Vitamin D | Melatonin | Growth Hormone

red line

Pregnenolone

Levels of pregnenolone (a hormone derived from cholesterol) decrease with aging. In rodents, pregnenolone is the most potent memory enhancer known. In humans, it has been shown to improve sleep and to enhance productivity but not to affect mood, strength, cognition, or overall function. Currently, no evidence supports use of pregnenolone in the elderly.

This topic was last updated March 2006.

Copyright © 2009 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A.  Privacy  Terms of Use  Sitemap