Researchers have found that men who have higher levels of “bioavailable” testosterone – testosterone that is not bound to protein – appear to perform better on tests of mental performance than men with lower levels of the hormone. The study of 310 men revealed that those with the highest levels outshone those with lower levels in tests designed to assess memory, learning, language, and other mental abilities. However, study leader Dr Kristine Yaffe does not recommend that men should start taking supplementary testosterone in an attempt to boost their mental abilities on the basis of her findings. “Our study only looked at natural testosterone levels and so it doesn’t prove that testosterone supplements can prevent cognitive decline,” she said.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2002; 50:707-712
