Decline in Testosterone is Associated with Cognitive Decline in Older Men

Nelson Vergel

Founder, ExcelMale.com
Longitudinal Relationships between Reproductive Hormones and Cognitive Decline in Older Men: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project.

Hsu B, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015.



Abstract

CONTEXT: The longitudinal relationship between declining levels of reproductive hormones and cognitive function remains unclear in older men.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the temporal relationship between changes in major reproductive hormone levels and cognitive decline over time.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Men aged 70 years and older from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) were assessed at baseline (2005-2007, n=1705), 2-years follow-up (2007-2009, n=1367) and 5-years follow-up (2010-2013, n=958). Main Outcomes and Measures: At all assessments, testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), and estrone (E1) were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and SHBG, LH, and FSH by immunoassay. Dementia was diagnosed at baseline by clinical assessment and review by a specialist panel. Cognitive function was measured at all three assessments by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

RESULTS: None of the baseline reproductive hormones predicted cognitive decline in men without dementia over 5-years. However, the change in serum hormones over time was associated with cognitive decline. In univariate analysis, change in all the studied hormones, except for E2, was significantly associated with cognitive decline. However, in multivariate-adjusted models accounting for potential confounders, only change in serum T (&#946;=0.067), DHT (&#946;=0.394), cFT (&#946;=0.005) and E1 (&#946;=0.009) remained significantly (p<0.05) associated with cognitive decline. Men who had dementia at baseline had significantly greater decline in serum T levels, but not in other studied hormones, over the 5-years.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that decline in androgen status is associated with cognitive decline in older men, but the causality of this association requires further elucidation.
 

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Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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