Instructions

Read the following passage and answer questions:

Passage:
A new USstudy has warned that adolescents who take performance enhancing anabolic steroids are more likely to have adverse neural and behavioural consequences like aggression and moodiness because ofthe steroids effect on the underdeveloped brain and nervous system. The study by Northern University in US, centered around a brain chemical called serotonin. which is linked to mood. Lowerlevels of serotonin are associated with depression and aggression. Forthe study. experiments were carried out on a strain of Syrian hamsters. This breed has similar neurological circuitry to humans, so experts felt it might be a good model for humans in this respect. The hamsters were given a high dose of anabolic steroids over the course of the month — which corresponded to five years repeated dosage in humans. The researchers found that the hamsters were more aggressive than those not given steroids and these aggressive tendencies were mellowed if Prozac — a drug whichboosts serotonin “uptake* — was given. However. subsequent analysis showedsignificantly lower than normal serotonin levels in the neural connections of the hamster’s brains. This suggests there may be long-term effects of taking steroids while the brain is still developing. Professor Richard Melloni who helped run the study. was quoted as saying by BBC: “We knowsteroids affect the development of serotonin nerve cells. which in turn. decreases serotonin availability in the brain. The serotonin neural system is developing during adolescence and the use of anabolic steroids during this critical period appears to have immediate neural and behavioural consequences”.

Question 198

Why do adolescents develop neural disorders?


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