Androgens and Alzheimer's disease

Purpose of reviewTo discuss the relationship between androgens, cognition and Alzheimer’s disease.Recent findingsIt has been found that low circulating levels of androgens are a risk factor for Alzheimer’sdisease. Decreased circulating androgens are also associated with declining cognitiveperformance, particularly in memory-related tasks. Conversely, androgensupplementation to hypogonadal men results in improved memory performance. It hastherefore been hypothesized that androgen supplementation may be beneficial inAlzheimer’s disease. In recent studies, animal models have been used to elucidate themolecular mechanism behind this relationship between androgens and Alzheimer’sdisease. These studies have shown that androgen depletion results in increased levelsof beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau, changes which are thought to beassociated with subsequent neuronal death.SummaryAndrogen depletion results in molecular changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.Further human trials are needed to determine whether androgen modulating therapy forAlzheimer’s disease has clinical significance.