Androgens and Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the relationship between androgens, cognition and Alzheimer's disease.


RESULTS
It has been found that low circulating levels of androgens are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Decreased circulating androgens are also associated with declining cognitive performance, particularly in memory-related tasks. Conversely, androgen supplementation to hypogonadal men results in improved memory performance. It has therefore been hypothesized that androgen supplementation may be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease. In recent studies, animal models have been used to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind this relationship between androgens and Alzheimer's disease. These studies have shown that androgen depletion results in increased levels of beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau, changes which are thought to be associated with subsequent neuronal death.


CONCLUSIONS
Androgen depletion results in molecular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Further human trials are needed to determine whether androgen modulating therapy for Alzheimer's disease has clinical significance.
School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.
Eleanor S
ES
Drummond
Alan R
AR
Harvey
Ralph N
RN
Martins
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D016875:tau Proteins