Testosterone improves spatial memory in men with Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment

Neurology. 2005 Jun 28;64(12):2063-8. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000165995.98986.F1.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of testosterone (T) supplementation on cognition in a sample of men with Alzheimer disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Fifteen patients with AD and 17 patients with MCI aged 63 to 85 years completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nineteen participants received weekly intramuscular (IM) injections of 100 mg T enanthate and 13 participants received weekly injections of placebo (saline) for 6 weeks. Cognitive evaluations using a battery of neuropsychological tests were conducted at baseline, week 3, and week 6 of treatment and again after 6 weeks of washout.

Results: Peak serum total T levels were raised from baseline an average of 295% in the active treatment group. Improvements in spatial memory (p < 0.05) and constructional abilities (p < 0.05) and verbal memory were evident in the T group. No changes were noted for selective and divided attention or language. Prostate specific antigen did not significantly change during this brief treatment.

Conclusion: Testosterone supplementation may benefit selective cognitive functions in men with Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroprotective Agents / blood
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Testosterone