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The Significance of Age-Related Androgen Depletion in Cognitive Impairment: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Melanie S. Burkhardt ,
Jonathan K. Foster  and
Ralph N. Martins
Melanie S. Burkhardt
Affiliation:
Sir James McCusker Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia; Hollywood Private Hospital; Ageing and Alzheimer's, School of Biomedical Sports Science, Edith Cowan University; School of Psychology, Murdoch University.
Jonathan K. Foster
Affiliation:
Sir James McCusker Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia; Hollywood Private Hospital; Ageing and Alzheimer's, School of Biomedical Sports Science, Edith Cowan University; Neurosciences Unit, Health Department of Western Australia.
Ralph N. Martins
Affiliation:
Sir James McCusker Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia; Hollywood Private Hospital; Ageing and Alzheimer's, School of Biomedical Sports Science, Edith Cowan University.
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Abstract

The potential role of supplementing sex steroids for the prevention and delay of age-related cognitive decline has received a great deal of recent interest. Although the biological plausibility of hormone treatment has received considerable support, clinical studies of cognitive functioning after hormonal treatment in postmenopausal women with and without dementia have produced mixed results. Much less attention has been given to the corresponding role of androgens in men. In order to establish the relevance of hormonal supplementation for men in delaying or preventing cognitive decline, it is of importance to evaluate both adrenal and gonadal contributions to androgen status. Additionally, consideration must also be given to the potential interactions of androgens with risk and protective factors (e.g., apolipoprotein E genotype and education). Here we review experimental and epidemiological studies of the significance of androgens for cognitive function.

Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , 01 December 2004 , pp. 166 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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