Androgens, andropause and neurodegeneration: exploring the link between steroidogenesis, androgens and Alzheimer's disease.
The relationship between menopause and cognitive decline has been the subject of intense research since a number of studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in women. In contrast, research into andropause has only recently begun. Furthermore, evidence now suggests that steroidogenesis is not restricted to the gonads and adrenals, and that the brain is capable of producing its own steroid hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Sex hormones have been demonstrated to be of critical importance in the embryonic development of the central nervous system (CNS); however, we are only just beginning to understand the role that these hormones may play in the normal functioning and repair of the adult mammalian CNS. This review will summarize current research into the role of androgens and andropause on cognition and the possible mechanisms of action of androgens, with particular reference to Alzheimer's disease.
Bates
K A
KA
School of Anatomy and Human Biology, the University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
Harvey
A R
AR
Carruthers
M
M
Martins
R N
RN
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D047649:Andropause / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000728:Androgens; D013256:Steroids
Thromb Haemost. 2015 Apr;113(4):719-27
25566930
J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014 May 27;63(20):2141-7
24657685
N Engl J Med. 2013 Nov 28;369(22):2093-104
24251359
CMAJ. 2013 Feb 5;185(2):E121-7
23184840
N Engl J Med. 2015 Aug 6;373(6):511-20
26095746
Blood. 2013 May 2;121(18):3554-62
23476049
Thromb Haemost. 2015 May;113(5):943-51
25789661
Blood. 2014 Aug 7;124(6):955-62
24859362
Lancet. 2015 Aug 15;386(9994):680-90
26088268
Can J Cardiol. 2012 Mar-Apr;28(2):125-36
22433576
Heart. 2015 Aug;101(15):1204-11
26037103
N Engl J Med. 2009 Sep 17;361(12):1139-51
19717844
Thromb Haemost. 2015 Jul;114(1):198-205
26020620
Lancet. 2014 Mar 15;383(9921):955-62
24315724
Can J Cardiol. 2014 Apr;30(4):381-4
24680169
Eur Heart J. 2012 Nov;33(21):2719-47
22922413
N Engl J Med. 2011 Sep 15;365(11):981-92
21870978
Europace. 2015 Oct;17(10):1467-507
26324838
N Engl J Med. 2011 Sep 8;365(10):883-91
21830957
Nat Med. 2013 Apr;19(4):446-51
23455714