Androgens and Alzheimer's disease.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the relationship between androgens, cognition and Alzheimer's disease. RECENT FINDINGS: It has been found that low circulating levels of androgens are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Decreased circulating androgens are also associated with declining cognitive performance, particularly in memory-related tasks. Conversely, androgen supplementation to hypogonadal men results in improved memory performance. It has therefore been hypothesized that androgen supplementation may be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease. In recent studies, animal models have been used to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind this relationship between androgens and Alzheimer's disease. These studies have shown that androgen depletion results in increased levels of beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau, changes which are thought to be associated with subsequent neuronal death. SUMMARY: Androgen depletion results in molecular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Further human trials are needed to determine whether androgen modulating therapy for Alzheimer's disease has clinical significance.

Author information

Author/s: Drummond, Eleanor S (ES); Harvey, Alan R (AR); Martins, Ralph N (RN);

Affiliation: School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.

Grants: P01 AG10491 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity (Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 16 (issue 3) : pp 254-9

Dates: Created 2009/04/24; Completed 2009/06/04;

PMID: 19373081, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/4/2009, IMS Date: 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aging - metabolism
Alzheimer Disease - drug therapy; etiology; metabolism; psychology
Amyloid beta-Protein - metabolism
Androgens - metabolism; therapeutic use
Animals
Cell Death
Cognition - drug effects
Down-Regulation
Female
Gonadotropins - metabolism

Gonadotropins - metabolism
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Humans
Male
Memory
Neurons - drug effects; metabolism; pathology
Phosphorylation
Risk Factors
Treatment Outcome
tau Proteins - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Amyloid beta-Protein (0) ; Androgens (0) ; Gonadotropins (0) ; tau Proteins (0)

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