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Testosterone and cognitive function in ageing men: data from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS)
Donel M Martin1, Gary Wittert, Nicholas R Burns
1School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. donel.martin@adelaide.edu.au
Maturitas
|February 9, 2007
Summary
Higher testosterone levels in aging men are linked to poorer verbal memory and executive function, but faster processing speed. Calculated free testosterone (cEFT) plays a role in these age-related cognitive changes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuropsychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Declining testosterone levels in aging males are increasingly linked to cognitive aging.
- Understanding the role of endogenous gonadal steroids in cognitive function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if endogenous gonadal steroid levels mediate or moderate the relationship between age and cognitive performance in men.
- To examine associations between testosterone levels and verbal memory, executive function, and processing speed.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 1046 community-dwelling men aged 35-80 years (Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study).
- Hormone measurements included total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cEFT), and others.
- Neuropsychological tests assessed verbal memory, executive function, and processing speed.
Main Results:
- Higher cEFT and TT levels correlated with poorer verbal memory and executive function.
- Higher cEFT and TT levels were associated with faster processing speed.
- cEFT moderated age-verbal memory relationship and mediated age-processing speed relationship.
Conclusions:
- Elevated endogenous testosterone levels, particularly in older men, may negatively impact cognitive functions.
- These findings suggest a complex, potentially detrimental role of higher testosterone in male cognitive aging.
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