title: Serum Testosterone and Cognitive Function in Ageing Male: Updating the Evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Testosterone (T) deficit, either in prepubertal or postpubertal form of hypogonadism, seems to play a key role in impairing cognitive function, including memory, attention, language and visuospatial abilities, especially in elderly men.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have recently showed the association between low serum T levels and important cognitive dysfunctions in ageing male as well as in subjects suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and even depression, suggesting that T could exert an active neuroprotective role.
  
  
  METHODS
  By searching PubMed and recent patents (ranging from 2010 to 2015), we identified several observational and intervention studies dealing with T and cognitive function in adult and ageing men. Findings were reviewed, thoroughly examined and, finally, summarized herein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although a large number of studies have been carried out so far, conclusive evidence cannot be drawn, in particular, for cognitive disorders in males. Conversely, T supplementation has been suggested for depressive syndrome in young and ageing men. To date, no clinical data have been carried out on cognitive dysfunctions employing the quoted patents in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies aiming to evaluate the role of serum T and its supplementation in adult and ageing men with T deficiency syndrome need to be encouraged, given that subjects affected by overt hypogonadism, either in prepubertal (i.e. Klinefelter syndrome) or postpubertal forms (chemical castration in subjects affected by prostate cancer), often complain of cognitive dysfunction, and seem to considerably benefit from T replacement therapy.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine Section of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Rare Diseases. University of Bari "A. Moro" Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70123 Bari, Italy. vitogiagulli@alice.it.
authors.forename: Vito A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Giagulli
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guastamacchia
authors.forename: Brunella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Licchelli
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Triggiani
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010330:Patents as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013739:Testosterone