title: The Effects of Testosterone Supplementation on Cognitive Functioning in Older Men.
abstract: Reduction in testosterone levels in men during aging is associated with cognitive decline and risk of dementia. Animal studies have shown benefits for testosterone supplementation in improving cognition and reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of men with subjective memory complaint and low testosterone levels, we investigated whether testosterone treatment significantly improved performance on various measures of cognitive functioning. Forty-four men were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests to establish the baseline prior to being randomly divided into two groups. The first group (Group A) received 24 weeks of testosterone treatment (T treatment) followed by 4 weeks washout, and then 24 weeks of placebo (P); the second group (Group B) received the same treatments, in reverse order (Placebo, washout, and then T treatment). In group A (TèP), compared to baseline, there was a modest (1 point) but significant improvement in general cognitive functioning as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) following testosterone treatment. This improvement from baseline was sustained following the washout period and crossover to placebo treatment. Similar Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were observed when comparing testosterone treatment with placebo. In group B (PèT) a significant increase was observed from baseline following testosterone treatment and a trend towards an increase when compared to placebo treatment. Improvements in baseline depression scores (assessed by Geriatric Depression Scale) were observed following testosterone/placebo treatment in both groups, and no difference was observed when comparing testosterone with placebo treatment. Our findings indicate a modest improvement on global cognition with testosterone treatment. Larger clinical trials with a longer follow- up and with the inclusion of blood and brain imaging markers are now needed to conclusively determine the significance of testosterone treatment.
authors.forename: Eka J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wahjoepramono
authors.forename: Prita R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Asih
authors.forename: Vilia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aniwiyanti
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: Satvinder S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Dhaliwal
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carruthers
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verdile
authors.forename: Hamid R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sohrabi
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Computing, Health, and Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia. r.martins@ecu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ralph N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D003863:Depression / Q000178:diet therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol