Elderly men with higher levels of “free” or bioavailable testosterone in their blood score higher at tests of verbal and visual recall, and perform spatial tasks better than men with lower levels of the male hormone, according to researchers from the National Institute of Aging. Study co-author, Susan Resnick, Ph.D, concluded: “Based on our results, testosterone levels are associated with selective and very specific effects on some aspects of cognition, including memory.” The findings suggest that “free” testosterone could be used to protect men with deficient levels of the hormone against cognitive decline later on in life. Data suggests that as many as 68% of men aged 70 and over have low levels of “free” testosterone. Although testosterone replacement therapy is available, some studies suggest that it may increase the risk of prostate cancer and stroke.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by the National Institute on Aging on the 4th November 2002
