Journal article
Androgen receptor CAG repeat length as a moderator of the relationship between free testosterone levels and cognition
Hormones and Behavior, Vol.131, Article 104966
2021
Abstract
Age-related decrease in testosterone levels is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline in older men. However, observational studies and clinical trials have reported inconsistent results on the effects of testosterone on individual cognitive domains. Null findings may be attributed to factors that studies have yet to consider. In particular, individual variations in polyglutamine (CAG) length in the androgen receptor (AR) gene could alter androgenic activity in brain regions associated with cognitive processes including memory and executive functions. However, the role of AR CAG repeat length as a moderator of the relationship between testosterone levels and cognition has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between baseline calculated free testosterone (cFT) levels, change in cFT levels over 18 months and CAG repeat length on cognitive performance in memory, executive function, language, attention and processing speed domains. These relationships were examined in 304 cognitively normal older male participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Ageing. In the attention and processing speed domain, a short CAG repeat length appears to exacerbate the effects of low baseline cFT levels that are also lower than expected at follow-up. These results highlight that individual variations in AR CAG repeat length should be considered in future studies and clinical trials that examine the complex relationship between testosterone and cognition.
Details
- Title
- Androgen receptor CAG repeat length as a moderator of the relationship between free testosterone levels and cognition
- Authors/Creators
- S. Tan (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research FoundationT. Porter (Author/Creator)R.S. Bucks (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaM. Weinborn (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research FoundationL. Milicic (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityA. Brown (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityS.R. Rainey-Smith (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityK. Taddei (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityD. Ames (Author/Creator) - Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthC.L. Masters (Author/Creator) - Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthP. Maruff (Author/Creator) - Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthG. Savage (Author/Creator) - Macquarie UniversityC.C. Rowe (Author/Creator) - Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthV.L. Villemagne (Author/Creator) - Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthB. Brown (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityH.R. Sohrabi (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research FoundationS.M. Laws (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityR.N. Martins (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
- Publication Details
- Hormones and Behavior, Vol.131, Article 104966
- Publisher
- Academic Press Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991005542486007891
- Copyright
- © 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Industry collaboration
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.5 Neuroscience
- 1.5.987 Neurosteroids
- Web Of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
- ESI research areas
- Neuroscience & Behavior