Brain Health in Relation to Androgen Hormones: Examining Beyond Sexual Capabilities
Androgens, such as testosterone and its metabolites like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play a significant role in memory, mood, neuroprotection, and age-related cognitive decline in both men and women.
Key evidence suggests that androgens exert neuroprotective effects, influence neurogenesis, modulate synaptic plasticity that impacts memory, and regulate mood.
In the realm of memory and synaptic plasticity, neurosteroids derived from androgens, such as DHT, have been shown to modulate synaptic plasticity in brain regions critical for memory, like the hippocampus. DHT promotes long-term depression and is involved in exercise-induced neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, suggesting androgen influence on cognitive function and memory formation.
Androgen-related neurosteroids like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS) are crucial for axon growth, synaptic connections, neural stem cell renewal, neuronal survival, and prevention of apoptosis. These functions contribute to neuroprotection and may mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
Fluctuations in neurosteroid levels, including those derived from androgens, influence mood and emotional behavior. Changes in neurosteroid concentrations have been linked to mood disorders such as perinatal depression, highlighting the role of these hormones in mood regulation.
In men, estradiol—produced via conversion from testosterone—is important for neuroprotection and maintaining cognitive functions during aging. Low estradiol levels in men have been associated with mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), cognitive decline, and memory problems.
Hormonal changes involving androgens and estrogens in women also affect neurotransmitter systems and alter cognition, memory, and mood, especially during periods of hormonal fluctuation such as perimenopause. This interplay can exacerbate cognitive and mood symptoms seen in conditions like ADHD, and contribute to age-related cognitive issues.
The findings come primarily from animal studies demonstrating direct effects on brain cells and human clinical data linking androgen-related hormone levels with mood and cognitive performance. Hormone replacement therapies that include androgens have shown promise in alleviating depressive symptoms. Androgens, such as testosterone, have neuroprotective properties that may defend against neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury.
In conclusion, androgens and their related neurosteroids exert neuroprotective effects, influence neurogenesis, modulate synaptic plasticity that impacts memory, and regulate mood, with evidence spanning molecular, cellular, animal models, and clinical observations in both sexes. These hormonal actions likely contribute to mitigating cognitive decline associated with aging.
References:
[1] Liu, Y., Wang, Y., & Wang, H. (2018). Androgens and neurosteroids in the brain: roles in cognitive functions and aging. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 112.
[2] Matsumoto, A., & Arai, H. (2001). Estrogen, testosterone, and the brain. Endocrine Reviews, 22(3), 271-303.
[3] McEwen, B. S. (2010). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators: the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(4), 264-275.
- Memory, mood, neuroprotection, and age-related cognitive decline are influenced by androgens like testosterone and its derivatives such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
- Neurosteroids derived from androgens, like DHT, modulate synaptic plasticity in brain regions critical for memory, such as the hippocampus.
- Androgens, through neuroprotective effects and modulation of neurogenesis, may mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
- Fluctuations in neurosteroid levels, including those derived from androgens, can influence mood and emotional behavior, potentially leading to mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
- Estradiol, produced from testosterone in men, is important for neuroprotection and maintaining cognitive functions during aging, and low levels have been linked to mood disorders and memory problems.
- Hormonal changes in women affecting neurotransmitter systems can impact cognition, memory, and mood, potentially exacerbating symptoms in conditions like ADHD and contributing to age-related cognitive issues.
- Treatment options like hormone replacement therapies that include androgens might alleviate depressive symptoms, due to androgens' neuroprotective properties that may defend against neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury.
