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Associations between serum testosterone fall and cognitive function in prostate cancer patients
Eeva K Salminen1, Raija I Portin, Aki Koskinen
1Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Hospital, Finland. eevsal@utu.fi
Summary
Testosterone decline during prostate cancer treatment may selectively impact cognition in elderly men, affecting visuomotor speed, attention, and memory recall. This finding is crucial for patient support and understanding treatment side effects.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Cognitive and testosterone level associations in elderly men remain unclear.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard prostate cancer treatment aiming for testosterone suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between testosterone decline and cognitive function in elderly men undergoing ADT for prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- 26 elderly men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were assessed.
- Cognitive tests (verbal, visuomotor, memory, processing speed, attention) were administered at baseline, 6, and 12 months during ADT.
- Serum testosterone levels were monitored to confirm castration levels.
Main Results:
- Testosterone levels reached castration levels in all participants by 6 months.
- Significant cognitive changes linked to testosterone decline included visuomotor slowing, impaired reaction times in attention and working memory, reduced vigilance, and slower letter recall/recognition.
- Object recall showed improvement.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone decline during ADT is selectively associated with specific cognitive impairments in elderly men with prostate cancer.
- Monitoring cognitive function alongside testosterone changes is vital for patient care and support during prostate cancer treatment.