Testosterone treatment of men with mild cognitive impairment and low testosterone levels

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2015 Jun;30(4):421-30. doi: 10.1177/1533317514556874. Epub 2014 Nov 11.

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of testosterone (T) treatment on cognition, mood, and quality of life in men with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and low serum T levels.

Methods: A total of 351 community-dwelling men were screened, and 37 men evidenced both MCI and low T of whom 27 agreed for further screening. Twenty-two met all the study inclusion/exclusion criteria and enrolled in a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Results: Total T levels significantly increased in the T treatment group. No significant changes were observed in measures of cognition, mood, or quality of life other than improvement in 1 objective measure of verbal memory (P < .05) and decreased depression symptoms (P < .02) in the treatment group.

Conclusions: Testosterone treatment may modestly improve verbal memory and depression symptoms in men with both MCI and low T.

Keywords: cognition; low serum testosterone; mild cognitive impairment; quality of life; testosterone treatment; verbal memory.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Testosterone