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  Testosterone May Improve Life for Men                     with Early Alzheimer's

Dec. 13 (United States)  
Pevention Easier than Treatment?

But hormone didn't sharpen cognitive skills in small study

 

TUESDAY, Dec. 13 (CogLabs Newswire) -- While giving the male hormone testosterone to men with mild Alzheimer's disease doesn't sharpen their cognitive skills, it does appear to improve their quality of life, researchers report.

Hormone therapies to slow the effects of Alzheimer's have been the focus of research attention in recent years, since male aging is associated with a gradual progressive decline in testosterone levels. Decline in testosterone levels is linked to decreased muscle mass and strength, osteoporosis, decreased libido, mood alterations and changes in cognition, the researchers note.

This age-related decline in testosterone may be relevant to Alzheimer's, since earlier studies have found significantly lower concentrations of testosterone in men who developed Alzheimer's, the authors point out.

Their report appears in the Dec. 12 early online edition of the Archives of Neurology.

Earlier reports indicated that testosterone improves cognitive ability in older men, and the research team led by Po H. Lu, an assistant clinical professor of neurology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, had hoped to find the same effect in men with Alzheimer's.

Unfortunately, the researchers did not find that testosterone improved cognition. "Testosterone seems to improve the quality of life in Alzheimer's disease patients, as observed by a caregiver," Lu said.

In their study, Lu's team randomly assigned 16 men with mild Alzheimer's to receive testosterone or a placebo over 24 weeks. At the start and end of the trial, Lu's group gave the men standardized tests that assessed cognitive functions and quality of life READ MORE ON NEXT PAGE--->

More information

Alzheimer's

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for AD and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of AD, medication such as tacrine (Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl) may keep some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. A fifth drug, memantine (Namenda), was recently approved for use in the United States. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Prevention, through lifestyle changes and mental and physcial exercise, represents one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of getting the disease, coupled with regular, systematic monitoring.  

What is the prognosis?

AD is a progressive disease, but its course can vary from 5 to 20 years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection.  As the population ages and other diseases are brought under control - Alzheimer's becomes a major risk.

What research is being done?


Scientists are currently studying or testing different types of drugs and other substances to determine if they can stop AD progression, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins (such as those used for lowering cholesterol), folic acid, gingko biloba, huperzine, and vitamins E, B6, and B12. Studies in basic science are also exploring the potential of vaccines. Regular  'screenings' are being advocated by some - with the U.S. House of Representatives recently passing a bill in support of early memory check-ups.  All advocate a regimen of physical exercise and mental exercise. If you start an exercise regimen or just walking use MemCheck to track your progress.

Read testimonials from scientists and physicians on MemCheck.
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Source: NIH and Cognitive Advisors. For a qualified medical opinion or diagnosis, please see your healthcare provider.  

Famous People and Alzheimers: former President Ronald Reagan, Grambling University football coach Eddie Robinson, actor Charlton Heston, actor James Doohan.                                                                                       


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