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Endogenous sex hormones and cognitive function in older men
E Barrett-Connor1, D Goodman-Gruen, B Patay
1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0607, USA. ebarrettconnor@ucsd.edu
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 16, 1999
Summary
In older men, higher testosterone and lower estradiol levels correlate with better cognitive function. Some hormone levels showed U-shaped associations with cognitive performance, suggesting optimal levels may exist.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuropsychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging populations.
- The role of endogenous sex hormones in cognitive function among older men requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels (testosterone and estradiol) and cognitive function in older men.
- To identify whether specific hormone levels predict performance on various cognitive tests.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a population-based cohort of 547 community-dwelling men (aged 59-89) not on hormone therapy.
- Measurement of serum total and bioavailable testosterone and estradiol levels.
- Administration of 12 standard neuropsychological tests assessing memory, concentration, and executive function.
Main Results:
- Higher bioavailable testosterone levels were associated with better performance on the Blessed Information-Memory-Concentration (BIMC) Test and Selective Reminding Test (long-term storage).
- Higher total and bioavailable estradiol levels were linked to poorer scores on the BIMC Test and Mini-Mental State Examination.
- U-shaped associations were observed between certain hormone levels and cognitive tests, indicating potential optimal hormone ranges.
Conclusions:
- Low estradiol and high testosterone levels appear to predict better cognitive function in older men.
- Both linear and nonlinear (U-shaped) relationships exist between sex hormones and cognitive performance.
- These findings suggest that specific endogenous sex hormone profiles may be important for maintaining cognitive health in aging men.