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Cognitive functions and sex steroids.

O T Wolf1

  • 1Institute of Experimental Psychology II, University of Duesseldorf, Geb. 23.02, Ebene 01, Raum 43, Universitaetsstrasse 1, D-40225 Duesseldorf, Germany. oliver.wolf@uni-duesseldorf.de

Annales D'Endocrinologie
|May 30, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Sex steroid hormones like estradiol and testosterone may improve memory in older adults. While estradiol and testosterone show promise, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement did not enhance cognition in human studies.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Sex steroid hormone levels (adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA(S)], gonadal estradiol, testosterone) decline with age in humans.
  • Rodent studies indicate neuro-excitatory and neuro-protective effects of sex steroids in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • Previous research suggests sex steroids can enhance memory performance in rodents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review human studies investigating the effects of sex steroid replacement on cognition in aging individuals.
  • To summarize findings on estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA(S) replacement therapies and their impact on cognitive function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological and experimental human studies.
  • Analysis of cognitive performance data following hormone replacement therapy.
  • Synthesis of research findings on estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA(S) in older adults.

Main Results:

  • Estradiol replacement generally improves cognition, particularly verbal memory, in menopausal women.
  • Testosterone replacement shows positive effects on cognition in older men in several studies, but results are not universally consistent.
  • DHEA replacement did not demonstrate cognition-enhancing effects in older healthy humans, even with prolonged treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Estradiol in women and testosterone in men show potential for enhancing cognition in older healthy individuals.
  • Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and establish clinical recommendations.
  • DHEA replacement is not currently supported as a cognitive enhancer in aging populations based on available human studies.

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