Does Testosterone Improve Memory?
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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Does testosterone improve memory? Let's look at the evidence. Besides protecting brain cells from oxidative stress, Testosterone is also found to improve memory in diabetic rats and menopausal women. The key to the question of whether or not testosterone improves memory is its mechanism of action. Despite being widely believed to have no effect on memory, there are now several promising studies that support this claim. Let's find out how Testosterone helps your memory.
Testosterone affects memory
Scientists are trying to understand how testosterone affects memory in healthy aging women. One study from Australia found that testosterone spray treatment improved verbal and spatial memory in postmenopausal women. More research is needed to understand the mechanism by which testosterone protects memory. But the results so far suggest that testosterone may be able to prevent the memory decline in older women. This hypothesis is still in its early stages.
Although the brain requires high levels of testosterone to function properly, production naturally declines as we age. In fact, the American Urological Association estimates that about 40 percent of males over 45 years of age have low levels of testosterone. These studies also excluded gender-queer, transgender, and gender-unidentified individuals. Testosterone is crucial for an erection. It tells brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, which triggers the chemical reactions that cause a male to have an erection.
Testosterone protects brain cells against oxidative stress
The protective effects of testosterone on brain cells were demonstrated in an experiment that used male and female rat cells. The cells expressed estrogen and testosterone receptors, respectively. After 48 hours of treatment, the cells showed a reduced ability to proliferate. The protective effect of testosterone on neuronal cells was mediated through the estrogen receptor. The neuroprotective effects of sex hormones were blocked when cells were exposed to temporary deprivation of the hormones. Furthermore, the depletion of sex hormones exacerbated the damage caused by oxidative stress.
The effects of testosterone on brain cells are highly complex and not universally beneficial. Testosterone levels differ in different sexes, ethnic groups, and comorbid diseases. Researchers are still trying to determine the precise mechanisms by which testosterone protects brain cells from oxidative stress. However, the relationship between testosterone levels and brain health is remarkably consistent and has been found to be beneficial in up to 20 percent of aging men.
Testosterone improves memory in diabetic rats
This study examined whether the male hormone testosterone could improve memory in diabetic rats. Its results show that testosterone can significantly improve spatial memory. The results suggest a complex dose-response relationship between testosterone and memory. It is also possible to see the influence of thyroid hormones on cognitive function in men. It may be that hormones like thyroid can also lead to a decline in memory in men. But the main question is whether or not testosterone can improve memory in diabetic rats.
To test the hypothesis that testosterone improves memory in diabetic rats, scientists induced diabetes in 60 male Wistar rats. Testosterone was then administered to the rats for 6 weeks. Afterwards, they were tested for BDNF levels using an ELISA kit. The rats were also given a novel object recognition test to assess their memory. The test lasted for 10 minutes and three rats reached this maximum during the test.
Testosterone improves memory in menopausal women
A recent study showed that testosterone treatment improved verbal learning and memory in postmenopausal women. Participants were randomized to one of two testosterone gel treatments or a placebo. Both groups were between 55 and 65 years old. No systemic sex hormone therapy was given to study subjects. The primary outcome was the score on the International Shopping List Task, and secondary outcomes included scores on other CogState domains and the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB).
While the results were mixed, it's still possible that testosterone improves memory in postmenopausal women. In a study published in the Harvard Men's Health Watch, researchers concluded that testosterone may boost cognitive performance in older women. Further research is needed to confirm whether or not testosterone can help women improve their memory. But for now, we can take some comfort in these preliminary findings. The study was conducted in two phases, each lasting about six months.
Testosterone improves memory in older men with low testosterone
A recent study of older men with low serum levels of hormones found that testosterone supplementation improved verbal and spatial memory. This study involved 153 men, ranging in age from 65 to 83 years, with average testosterone levels of 234 ng/dL. Although these results are preliminary, researchers found that testosterone supplementation improved verbal and spatial memory in older men. These findings are not surprising considering that men tend to lose memory as they age, but it's not clear how testosterone might play a role.
The brain's shape changes as we age, affecting our ability to focus and remember. Researchers have suggested that low testosterone levels increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Although the study was small, it showed that low levels of testosterone are associated with early cognitive decline in older Chinese men. Low testosterone levels are an independent risk factor for rapid cognitive decline, said Dr. Morley, professor of gerontology at Saint Louis University Medical Center.
