Characterization of verbal and spatial memory changes from moderate to supraphysiological increases in serum testosterone in healthy older men

SummaryBackgroundIt has been suggested that cognitive changes in response to T supplementation may occur within an ideal range. The objective of this study was to compare the cognitive responses of older, eugonadal men in whom moderate or large increases in serum testosterone levels was induced by exogenous testosterone supplementation.DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with subsequent grouping of participants according to average increase in circulating T from baseline.SettingCommunity dwelling participants.ParticipantsFifty-seven healthy, eugonadal, community dwelling male volunteers,mean age 67 years (±11 years).InterventionsParticipants were randomized to receive weekly intramuscular (I.M.) injections of either 50, 100 or 300 mg T enanthate or placebo (saline) injection for 6 weeks. Cognitive evaluations using a battery of neuropsychological tests were conducted at baseline, weeks 3 and 6 of treatment and after 6 weeks of wash-out.Main outcome measuresPerformance on cognitive tests of verbal and spatial memory.ResultsMen with moderate increases in serum T and/or its metabolites demonstrated significant improvements in verbal and spatial memory. In contrast, men with large or low increases in circulating T levels, failed to demonstrate significant changes in memory.ConclusionThese results suggest that in healthy older men, beneficial changes in cognitive function induced by T supplementation are most evident with moderate changes in cognition from moderate to high T supplementation increases in T levels. Large or no to low increases in T levels do not appear to appreciably effect cognition.