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Testosterone deficiency and apathy in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study
R E Ready1, J Friedman, J Grace
1Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. rready@ucsur.pitt.edu
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|August 18, 2004
Summary
Low free testosterone levels in men with Parkinson's disease are linked to apathy. This suggests testosterone replacement therapy may help manage this non-motor symptom.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is often accompanied by non-motor symptoms.
- Apathy is a prevalent non-motor symptom in men with PD.
- Low testosterone levels may contribute to apathy in PD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between free serum testosterone levels and apathy.
- To assess apathy in elderly men diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 49 non-demented male Parkinson's disease patients and 40 informants.
- Apathy was assessed using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale and visual analogue scales.
- Free serum testosterone levels were measured from blood samples.
Main Results:
- Nearly half of the Parkinson's disease patients (46.9%) exhibited low total testosterone levels (< or = 325 ng/dl).
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between free testosterone and apathy, regardless of disease severity.
- Both patient and informant-reported apathy scores were associated with free testosterone levels.
Conclusions:
- Apathy is common in Parkinson's disease and is inversely correlated with free testosterone levels.
- Testosterone replacement therapy may be a potential therapeutic option for apathy in some men with PD.
- Further research is required to confirm these findings and explore treatment efficacy.