Our findings demonstrate that subchronic finasteride treatment in adult male rats induces distinct time-dependent behavioral changes. While the immediate effects observed after 20 days of treatment (i.e., T0) were modest, significant behavioral alterations became evident month after drug discontinuation (i.e., T1). These withdrawal effects included pronounced hyperactivity, reduced center exploration in the open field, and marked avoidance of novel stimuli, collectively indicating an anxiety-like phenotype.
Cioffi L, Diviccaro S, Chrostek G, Severino FPU, Giatti S, Scheggia D, Melcangi RC. Finasteride Withdrawal Induces Anxiety-like Behavior and Novelty Avoidance in Adult Male Rats, February 27, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.70150 [Journal of Neuroendocrinology]