Journal article
Effects of testosterone supplementation on separate cognitive domains in cognitively healthy older men: A meta-analysis of current randomized clinical trials
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol.27(11), pp.1232-1246
2019
Abstract
Background
An increasing body of literature suggests a positive, neuroprotective effect for testosterone on cognition in older men. However, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the effects of testosterone supplementation (TS) on cognitive function have been inconclusive.
Objective
To investigate the potential for TS to prevent cognitive decline in otherwise cognitively healthy older men, by examining the differential effects of TS on cognitively healthy older men in RCTs.
Methods
Comprehensive search of electronic databases, conference proceedings, and grey literature from 1990 to 2018 was performed to identify RCTs examining the effects of TS on cognition before and after supplementation, in cognitively healthy individuals.
Results
A final sample of 14 eligible RCTs met inclusion criteria. Using pooled random effects expressed as Hedge's g, comparison of placebo versus treatment groups pre- and postsupplementation showed improvements in the treatment group in executive function (g (11) = 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03–0.26, z = 0.56, p = 0.011). However, it was noted that two studies in our sample did not report a significant increase in mean serum total testosterone (TT) levels in the treatment group after supplementation. Following exclusion of these studies, analysis indicated improvement in the treatment group for the overall cognitive composite (g (11) = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.02–0.33, z = 2.18), psychomotor speed (g (3) = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.01–0.43, z = 2.07) and executive function (g (9) = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.28, z = 2.35). No significant differences were noted for the global cognition, attention, verbal memory, visuospatial ability or visuospatial memory domains.
Conclusion
Overall, our findings support the potential for TS as a preventative measure against cognitive decline, although the effect sizes were small. These findings warrant further observational studies and clinical trials of good methodological quality, to elucidate the effect of TS on cognition.
Details
- Title
- Effects of testosterone supplementation on separate cognitive domains in cognitively healthy older men: A meta-analysis of current randomized clinical trials
- Authors/Creators
- S. Tan (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaH.R. Sohrabi (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research FoundationM. Weinborn (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaM. Tegg (Author/Creator) - Edith Cowan UniversityR.S. Bucks (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaK. Taddei (Author/Creator) - Australian Alzheimer’s Research FoundationM. Carruthers (Author/Creator) - Centre for Men's Health, London, United Kingdom.R.N. Martins (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol.27(11), pp.1232-1246
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991005542795007891
- Copyright
- © 2019 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.5 Neuroscience
- 1.5.987 Neurosteroids
- Web Of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology