Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
12.8K
Testosterone Concentration and Incident Depression in Older Men: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Malcolm Forbes1, Mojtaba Lotfaliany1, Cammie Tran2
1The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Summary
Testosterone levels do not appear to influence the risk of depression in older men. This study found no significant link between testosterone concentrations and the development of depressive symptoms in elderly males.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Testosterone's role in mood regulation is debated.
- Its association with depression in older men requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between serum total testosterone levels and the incidence of depression in elderly men.
- To determine if testosterone concentrations predict the development of depressive symptoms in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 4,107 men aged 70+ from the ASPREE and ASPREE-XT studies.
- Measurement of serum total testosterone at baseline and year 3.
- Assessment of depressive symptoms annually using the CES-D-10 scale; incident depression defined as CES-D-10 ≥8.
- Cox proportional hazards regression models used for analysis, adjusted for confounders.
Main Results:
- Over 8.4 years, 1,449 participants developed depression.
- Baseline testosterone levels, continuous or quintile-categorized, showed no significant association with depression risk.
- Changes in testosterone from baseline to year 3 also did not predict incident depression.
- Subgroup analysis in men with hypogonadism found no link to depression.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone concentrations are not associated with the risk of developing depression in older men.
- Testosterone may not be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of depression in this population.
- Individual variability in testosterone's mood impact warrants further research.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
11.8K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
11.8K
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
307
Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
307
01:28Menopause
125
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
125
01:18Depression: Overview
208
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
208
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
33
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
33
01:26Testosterone: Functions and Regulation
525
The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...
525