Researchers from the Michigan State University concluded that adolescents particularly males were more prone to changes in behavior when given anabolic androgenic steroids. The research team headed by Kaliris Salas-Ramirez conducted a series of experiments in Cheryl Sisk’s laboratory of the university. Their objective is to compare the effects of administering steroids to adolescent and adult males. The results were published in the Behavioural Brain Research Journal.

Although the study was conducted on male Syrian hamsters, the researchers still believes that the results were significant. They found out that the effects of steroids were more eminent to adolescents rather than in adult hamsters. It causes some changes in their behavioral patterns when on continuous intake of steroids for two weeks as compared to the group given with a placebo. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are commonly used by professional athletes and bodybuilders to build muscle mass and strength. Previous studies say that continuous use of anabolic steroids may harm the kidneys and may cause other complications. With this study, it was noted that steroids can also alter the behavior of the user when taken for longer period.

In the experiment, the group injected the male Syrian hamsters with either steroids or a placebo everyday for two weeks. 50 percent of the hamsters were given steroid shots during their adolescence which is between 27 to 41 days of age. On the other hand, the remaining group received steroids after becoming an adult which is from 63 to 77 days of age. The behavior of the hamsters were observed at the first two weeks of the experiment and another obervation was made after stopping the steroid injections four weeks later. The criteria used by the researchers include the changes in the mating and aggressiveness patterns of the subjects.

The researchers administered large doses of steroids which is similar to the steroid intake of chronic human users. “An androgenic anabolic steroids or AAS cocktail, in doses comparable to what a heavy or chronic anabolic steroid human user would administer, led to reduced potential for sexual satiety that persisted at least four weeks beyond the exposure to AAS, whether subjects were treated in adolescence or adulthood,” according to the report. They also added that AAS resulted in persistent increases in aggressive behaviors and flank marking, regardless of the age at which exposure to AAS occurred. The report also explained that flank marking is a testosterone-modulated scent marking behavior that communicates dominance status between adult male Syrian hamsters. The result also suggests that the brains of young adults are vulnerable to the effects of steroids and suffers long-term behavioral and physical changes.

The results, according to the researchers, can help authorities address the steroid problem among the youths. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that steroid use in teenagers are increasing and the abuse of this drug reach the highest number in 2000. The survey of the institute prompted some states to intensify their steroid testing programs in high schools. Texas and Illinois were some of the states with strict implementation of the steroid testing. However, some states reduced their budget or completely abolished the program due to its effectiveness. Some questions the program if it can really deter steroid use in the youths.

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