The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, indicates that the use of prescribed steroids, including inhalers, is linked to changes in the structure and volume of white and grey matter in the brain. The study revealed that this association might help in explaining the neuropsychiatric effects, such as anxiety, depression, mania, and delirium, frequently seen after long-term use.

Dr. Merel van der Meulen from Leiden University Medical Center stated that the study showed that both systemic and inhaled glucocorticoids are associated with a reduction in white matter integrity, which may play a vital part in the underlying neuropsychiatric side effects observed in patients using glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids, a class of synthetic steroids, are among some of the most frequently prescribed drugs for having immunosuppressive properties. They are used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

In this study, the MRI brain scans of 222 people using systemic steroids and 557 using inhaled steroids were compared with those of 24,106 non-users. On comparing the MRI scan results, it was observed that systemic and inhaled steroid use was associated with less intact white matter structure. White matter has a role in neuronal connectivity and signaling in the brain. The study also showed that the effects were greater in systemic users than in users of inhaled steroids. Further detailed analysis revealed that the effects of steroid use might be even larger among long-term users. 

(Source: https://odishatv.in/news/lifestyle/consuming-some-common-steroids-may-change-brain-structure-study-184414 )