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Testosterone, cognitive decline and dementia in ageing men
Bu B Yeap1,2, Leon Flicker3,4,5
1Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. bu.yeap@uwa.edu.au.
Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
|May 28, 2022
Summary
Lower testosterone in aging men is linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk. Current evidence does not support testosterone therapy as a proven treatment for preventing cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Circulating testosterone concentrations decline with aging in men.
- Cognitive impairment and dementia prevalence increase in older men.
- Epidemiological studies suggest a link between lower testosterone and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between testosterone levels and cognitive function in aging men.
- To assess the efficacy of testosterone treatment on cognitive decline and dementia risk.
- To explore testosterone's role in relation to diabetes and dementia risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies linking testosterone levels to cognitive decline and dementia.
- Analysis of intervention studies involving testosterone treatment and cognitive function measures.
- Consideration of randomized controlled trials on testosterone's effects on sexual function, diabetes risk, and cognitive outcomes.
Main Results:
- Observational studies show associations between lower testosterone and increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
- Testosterone treatment trials yielded inconsistent cognitive results; one trial showed no cognitive improvement despite improved sexual function.
- Testosterone treatment in a separate trial reduced type 2 diabetes risk but had no cognitive endpoints.
Conclusions:
- Lower testosterone concentrations in aging men are currently best viewed as a biomarker, not a proven therapeutic target for cognitive decline.
- Further research is warranted to clarify the role of testosterone in cognitive health and dementia prevention.
- The relationship between testosterone, diabetes, and dementia requires additional investigation.
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