Research Tracker›Biomarker Atlas›Major Depressive Disorder›Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Major Depressive Disorder

In Major Depressive Disorder, the direction of change for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) is inconsistent across studies that used healthy controls as the reference group. The source does not tie this marker to a specific symptom cluster, so it is best read as a biological signal rather than a symptom predictor. This entry summarises Asadikaram et al. 2019. Group-level associations like this do not translate into an individual diagnostic cut-off.

↕ InconsistentOther

Summary

Direction in Major Depressive Disorder↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction
CategoryOther
Compared againsthealthy controls
SourceAsadikaram et al. 2019 — doi:10.1002/pchj.290
Condition atlasMajor Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas

Related Other markers in Major Depressive Disorder

Full list: Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) high or low in Major Depressive Disorder?

Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Major Depressive Disorder compared with healthy controls, so no single direction is established. Source: Asadikaram et al. 2019.

Which test measures Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)?

The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S), which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.

Is one abnormal Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) result diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder. Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Major Depressive Disorder: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/major-depressive-disorder/dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate-dhea-s.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from major-depressive-disorder.json · Browse: Major Depressive Disorder atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages

Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.