Publications 2025

Scarth M, Havnes IA, Bjørnebekk A (2025)
Anabolic-androgenic steroid use disorder: case for recognition as a substance use disorder with specific diagnostic criteria
Br J Psychiatry, 1-5 (in press)
DOI 10.1192/bjp.2025.73, PubMed 40355134

Scarth M, Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, Bjørnebekk A (2025)
Psychological traits associated with anabolic androgenic steroid use and dependence: an exploratory cross-sectional study among female athletes
BMC Womens Health, 25 (1), 214
DOI 10.1186/s12905-025-03711-5, PubMed 40325431

Publications 2024

Abdullah R, Bjørnebekk A, Hauger LE, Hullstein IR, Edvardsen T, Haugaa KH, Almaas VM (2024)
Severe biventricular cardiomyopathy in both current and former long-term users of anabolic-androgenic steroids
Eur J Prev Cardiol, 31 (5), 599-608
DOI 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad362, PubMed 37992194

Almaas VM, Abdullah R, Edvardsen T, Haugaa KH, Bjørnebekk A (2024)
Comment on 'Anabolic-androgenic steroids and cardiac function'
Eur J Prev Cardiol, 31 (13), e97-e98
DOI 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae183, PubMed 38788779

Gregersen I, Scarth ME, Abdullah R, Thorsby PM, Hauger LE, Haugaa KH, Sagen EL, Michelsen AE, Ueland T, Edvardsen T, Aukrust P, Almaas VM, Bjørnebekk AK, Halvorsen B (2024)
Elevated interleukin 8 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels are associated with myocardial pathology in users of anabolic-androgenic steroids
Eur J Prev Cardiol, 31 (12), 1469-1476
DOI 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae126, PubMed 38573232

Havnes IA, Henriksen HCB, Johansen PW, Bjørnebekk A, Neupane SP, Hisdal J, Seljeflot I, Wisløff C, Jørstad ML, McVeigh J, Jørgensen AP (2024)
Off-label use of clomiphene citrate to treat anabolic androgenic steroid induced hypogonadism upon cessation among men (CloTASH) - A pilot study protocol
MethodsX, 13, 102810
DOI 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102810, PubMed 39022178

Henriksen HCB, Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, Abdullah R, Thorsby PM, Hauger LE, Edvardsen T, Haugaa KH, Almaas VM, Bjørnebekk A (2024)
Treatment-seeking behavior and cardiovascular morbidity among men with anabolic-androgenic steroid use: A cross-sectional study
Scand J Med Sci Sports, 34 (1), e14554
DOI 10.1111/sms.14554, PubMed 38268076

Klonteig S, Scarth M, Bjørnebekk A (2024)
Sleep pathology and use of anabolic androgen steroids among male weightlifters in Norway
BMC Psychiatry, 24 (1), 62
DOI 10.1186/s12888-024-05516-6, PubMed 38254047

Tungesvik HM, Bjørnebekk A, Hisdal J (2024)
Impaired vascular function among young users of anabolic-androgenic steroids
Sci Rep, 14 (1), 19201
DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-70110-5, PubMed 39160232

Publications 2023

Henriksen HCB, Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, Bjørnebekk A (2023)
Health service engagement, side effects and concerns among men with anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a cross-sectional Norwegian study
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy, 18 (1), 19
DOI 10.1186/s13011-023-00528-z, PubMed 37013635

Jørstad ML, Scarth M, Torgersen S, Pope HG, Bjørnebekk A (2023)
Clustering psychopathology in male anabolic-androgenic steroid users and nonusing weightlifters
Brain Behav, 13 (7), e3040
DOI 10.1002/brb3.3040, PubMed 37150843

Scarth M, Hauger LE, Thorsby PM, Leknes S, Hullstein IR, Westlye LT, Bjørnebekk A (2023)
Supraphysiological testosterone levels from anabolic steroid use and reduced sensitivity to negative facial expressions in men
Psychopharmacology (Berl), 241 (4), 701-715
DOI 10.1007/s00213-023-06497-2, PubMed 37993638

Scarth M, Westlye LT, Havnes IA, Bjørnebekk A (2023)
Investigating anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence and muscle dysmorphia with network analysis among male weightlifters
BMC Psychiatry, 23 (1), 342
DOI 10.1186/s12888-023-04781-1, PubMed 37193971

Skauen JE, Pallesen S, Bjørnebekk A, Chegeni R, Syvertsen A, Petróczi A, Sagoe D (2023)
Prevalence and correlates of androgen dependence: a meta-analysis, meta-regression analysis and qualitative synthesis
Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes, 30 (6), 309-323
DOI 10.1097/MED.0000000000000822, PubMed 37410490

Publications 2022

Bjørnebekk A, Scarth M, Neupane SP, Westlye LT, Hullstein IR, Thorsby PM, Halvorsen B (2022)
Use of High-Dose Androgens Is Associated with Reduced Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Male Weightlifters
Neuroendocrinology, 113 (1), 36-47
DOI 10.1159/000526418, PubMed 35944495

Kildal E, Hassel B, Bjørnebekk A (2022)
ADHD symptoms and use of anabolic androgenic steroids among male weightlifters
Sci Rep, 12 (1), 9479
DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-12977-w, PubMed 35676515

Melsom HS, Heiestad CM, Eftestøl E, Torp MK, Gundersen K, Bjørnebekk AK, Thorsby PM, Stensløkken KO, Hisdal J (2022)
Reduced arterial elasticity after anabolic-androgenic steroid use in young adult males and mice
Sci Rep, 12 (1), 9707
DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-14065-5, PubMed 35690664

Scarth M, Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, McVeigh J, Van Hout MC, Westlye LT, Torgersen S, Bjørnebekk A (2022)
Severity of anabolic steroid dependence, executive function, and personality traits in substance use disorder patients in Norway
Drug Alcohol Depend, 231, 109275
DOI 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109275, PubMed 35030506

Scarth M, Jørstad ML, Reierstad A, Klonteig S, Torgersen S, Hullstein IR, Bjørnebekk A (2022)
Psychopathology among anabolic-androgenic steroid using and non-using female athletes in Norway
J Psychiatr Res, 155, 295-301
DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.023, PubMed 36170757

Publications 2021

Bjørnebekk A, Kaufmann T, Hauger LE, Klonteig S, Hullstein IR, Westlye LT (2021)
Long-term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Is Associated With Deviant Brain Aging
Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging, 6 (5), 579-589
DOI 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.01.001, PubMed 33811018

Hauger LE, Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, Bjørnebekk A (2021)
Anabolic androgenic steroids, antisocial personality traits, aggression and violence
Drug Alcohol Depend, 221, 108604
DOI 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108604, PubMed 33621808

Scarth M, Bjørnebekk A (2021)
Androgen abuse and the brain
Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes, 28 (6), 604-614
DOI 10.1097/MED.0000000000000675, PubMed 34709215

Publications 2020

Hauger LE, Westlye LT, Bjørnebekk A (2020)
Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with executive dysfunction
Drug Alcohol Depend, 208, 107874
DOI 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107874, PubMed 31972519

Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, Innerdal I, Bjørnebekk A (2020)
Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among women - A qualitative study on experiences of masculinizing, gonadal and sexual effects
Int J Drug Policy, 95, 102876
DOI 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102876, PubMed 32736958

Havnes IA, Jørstad ML, McVeigh J, Van Hout MC, Bjørnebekk A (2020)
The Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Treatment Gap: A National Study of Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Subst Abuse, 14, 1178221820904150
DOI 10.1177/1178221820904150, PubMed 32127749

Mutsaerts HJMM, Petr J, Groot P, Vandemaele P, Ingala S, Robertson AD, Václavů L, Groote I, Kuijf H, Zelaya F, O'Daly O, Hilal S, Wink AM, Kant I, Caan MWA, Morgan C, de Bresser J, Lysvik E, Schrantee A, Bjørnebekk A, Clement P, Shirzadi Z, Kuijer JPA, Wottschel V, Anazodo UC et al. (2020)
ExploreASL: An image processing pipeline for multi-center ASL perfusion MRI studies
Neuroimage, 219, 117031
DOI 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117031, PubMed 32526385

Vaskinn A, Hauger LE, Bjørnebekk A (2020)
Theory of mind in users of anabolic androgenic steroids
Psychopharmacology (Berl), 237 (10), 3191-3199
DOI 10.1007/s00213-020-05603-y, PubMed 32623552

Publications 2019

Bjørnebekk A, Westlye LT, Walhovd KB, Jørstad ML, Sundseth ØØ, Fjell AM (2019)
Cognitive performance and structural brain correlates in long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid exposed and nonexposed weightlifters
Neuropsychology, 33 (4), 547-559
DOI 10.1037/neu0000537, PubMed 31033318

Hauger LE, Sagoe D, Vaskinn A, Arnevik EA, Leknes S, Jørstad ML, Bjørnebekk A (2019)
Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with impaired emotion recognition
Psychopharmacology (Berl), 236 (9), 2667-2676
DOI 10.1007/s00213-019-05239-7, PubMed 30941469

Hauger LE, Westlye LT, Fjell AM, Walhovd KB, Bjørnebekk A (2019)
Structural brain characteristics of anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence in men
Addiction, 114 (8), 1405-1415
DOI 10.1111/add.14629, PubMed 30955206

Publications 2018

Haabrekke K, Siqveland T, Nygaaard E, Bjornebekk A, Slinning K, Wentzel-Larsen T, Walhovd KB, Smith L, Moe V (2018)
COGNITIVE AND SOCIOEMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING AT 4½ YEARS IN CHILDREN BORN TO MOTHERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROBLEMS WHILE PREGNANT
Infant Ment Health J, 39 (5), 581-594
DOI 10.1002/imhj.21733, PubMed 30084491

Publications 2016

Bjørnebekk A, Walhovd KB, Jørstad ML, Due-Tønnessen P, Hullstein IR, Fjell AM (2016)
Structural Brain Imaging of Long-Term Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users and Nonusing Weightlifters
Biol Psychiatry, 82 (4), 294-302
DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.06.017, PubMed 27616036

Westlye LT, Kaufmann T, Alnæs D, Hullstein IR, Bjørnebekk A (2016)
Brain connectivity aberrations in anabolic-androgenic steroid users
Neuroimage Clin, 13, 62-69
DOI 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.11.014, PubMed 27942448

Publications 2015

Sagoe D, McVeigh J, Bjørnebekk A, Essilfie MS, Andreassen CS, Pallesen S (2015)
Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a descriptive metasynthesis
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy, 10, 12
DOI 10.1186/s13011-015-0006-5, PubMed 25888931

Publications 2014

Bjørnebekk A, Siqveland TS, Haabrekke K, Moe V, Slinning K, Fjell AM, Walhovd KB (2014)
Development of children born to mothers with mental health problems: subcortical volumes and cognitive performance at 4½ years
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 24 (1), 115-8
DOI 10.1007/s00787-014-0625-9, PubMed 25304292

Walhovd KB, Bjørnebekk A, Haabrekke K, Siqveland T, Slinning K, Nygaard E, Fjell AM, Due-Tønnessen P, Bjørnerud A, Moe V (2014)
Child neuroanatomical, neurocognitive, and visual acuity outcomes with maternal opioid and polysubstance detoxification
Pediatr Neurol, 52 (3), 326-32.e1-3
DOI 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2014.11.008, PubMed 25595574

Publications 2012

Bjørnebekk A, Fjell AM, Walhovd KB, Grydeland H, Torgersen S, Westlye LT (2012)
Neuronal correlates of the five factor model (FFM) of human personality: Multimodal imaging in a large healthy sample
Neuroimage, 65, 194-208
DOI 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.10.009, PubMed 23063449

Publications 2011

Bjørnebekk A, Westlye LT, Fjell AM, Grydeland H, Walhovd KB (2011)
Social reward dependence and brain white matter microstructure
Cereb Cortex, 22 (11), 2672-9
DOI 10.1093/cercor/bhr345, PubMed 22156472

Westlye LT, Bjørnebekk A, Grydeland H, Fjell AM, Walhovd KB (2011)
Linking an anxiety-related personality trait to brain white matter microstructure: diffusion tensor imaging and harm avoidance
Arch Gen Psychiatry, 68 (4), 369-77
DOI 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.24, PubMed 21464361

Publications 2010

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Brené S (2010)
The antidepressant effects of running and escitalopram are associated with levels of hippocampal NPY and Y1 receptor but not cell proliferation in a rat model of depression
Hippocampus, 20 (7), 820-8
DOI 10.1002/hipo.20683, PubMed 19623606

Bjørnebekk A, Westlye LT, Walhovd KB, Fjell AM (2010)
Everyday memory: self-perception and structural brain correlates in a healthy elderly population
J Int Neuropsychol Soc, 16 (6), 1115-26
DOI 10.1017/S1355617710001025, PubMed 20946708

Publications 2009

Walhovd KB, Moe V, Slinning K, Siqveland T, Fjell AM, Bjørnebekk A, Smith L (2009)
Effects of prenatal opiate exposure on brain development--a call for attention
Nat Rev Neurosci, 10 (5), 390
DOI 10.1038/nrn2598-c1, PubMed 19377504

Publications 2008

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Gruber SH, Brené S (2008)
Housing conditions modulate escitalopram effects on antidepressive-like behaviour and brain neurochemistry
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol, 11 (8), 1135-47
DOI 10.1017/S1461145708008912, PubMed 18570703

Publications 2007

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Brené S (2007)
Isolated Flinders Sensitive Line rats have decreased dopamine D2 receptor mRNA
Neuroreport, 18 (10), 1039-43
DOI 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3281668bf7, PubMed 17558292

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Gruber SH, Brené S (2007)
Social isolation increases number of newly proliferated cells in hippocampus in female flinders sensitive line rats
Hippocampus, 17 (12), 1193-200
DOI 10.1002/hipo.20352, PubMed 17879375

Brené S, Bjørnebekk A, Aberg E, Mathé AA, Olson L, Werme M (2007)
Running is rewarding and antidepressive
Physiol Behav, 92 (1-2), 136-40
DOI 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.05.015, PubMed 17561174

Publications 2006

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Brené S (2006)
Running has differential effects on NPY, opiates, and cell proliferation in an animal model of depression and controls
Neuropsychopharmacology, 31 (2), 256-64
DOI 10.1038/sj.npp.1300820, PubMed 16034445

Publications 2005

Bjørnebekk A, Mathé AA, Brené S (2005)
The antidepressant effect of running is associated with increased hippocampal cell proliferation
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol, 8 (3), 357-68
DOI 10.1017/S1461145705005122, PubMed 15769301