title: Endogenous sex hormones and cognitive function in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estrogen and testosterone may influence cognitive function in the older adult, but the relationship between sex hormones and cognitive function is complex.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations of sex hormones and cognitive function among older adults ≥65 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected once from 71 elderly (mean age 86.4 years). Global cognitive function and executive function were measured with standardized instruments, and saliva samples were collected for salivary estradiol and testosterone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estradiol was significantly and positively correlated with global cognitive function in men only (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). Testosterone was not significantly correlated with global cognitive function or executive function in either gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associations between sex hormones and cognitive function were mostly non-significant. However, higher estradiol was significantly correlated with better global cognitive function in men, suggesting gender-specific differences. Along with sex hormones, other comorbidity may need to be assessed together in relation to cognitive function in the elderly. Accordingly, clinicians play an important role in educating and promoting beneficial actions to preserve cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6901 Bertner, Houston, TX, 77030, USA, lisa.boss@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boss
authors.forename: Duck-Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bergstrom
authors.forename: J Leigh
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Leasure
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol