Androgens in the Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease in Aging Men and Possible Therapeutic Interventions

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

IOS Press

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

School

School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science

RAS ID

5123

Comments

Fuller, S., Tan, R., & Martins, R. N. (2007). Androgens in the Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease in Aging Men and Possible Therapeutic Interventions. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 12(2), 129-142. Available here

Abstract

Animal experiments and cell biology studies have provided evidence that both estrogens and androgens can play a protective role against Alzheimer's disease (AD) related neurodegeneration. Males who become hypogonadal in later life often report problems with their memory. Lower than normal testosterone levels have also been detected in patients prior to the onset of AD, as well as in younger late-onset male AD patients, when compared to appropriate controls. The results of some small clinical trials suggest that testosterone can improve cognitive function in andropause. Although such improvement in cognitive function is subtle, patients on testosterone replacement therapy have reported memory improvements in both declarative and procedural domains. In contrast, there is no clinical evidence to date which suggest that the hormone dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can improve cognitive function. Rises in the levels of the gonadotropins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), have been associated with AD, but the clinical effects of reducing their levels remain to be determined. We hypothesize that androgens, gonadotropin modulators, or perhaps selective androgen receptor modulators may be useful components of therapy aimed at preventing the onset or delaying the progression of AD in male patients.

DOI

10.3233/JAD-2007-12202

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.3233/JAD-2007-12202