Testosterone is the primary male hormone that causes the changes associated with male puberty. It is testosterone that causes a boy’s voice to deepen, hair to grow on the chest, pubic area, underarms and other places on the body, and for muscle mass to form. There are actually two types of testosterone. One type binds or is attached to protein, while another type does not. The type that does not coupled with protein is known as “free testosterone”, and can be used by any cells in the body.
As men age, testosterone levels naturally decrease, and the effects seen during puberty and young adulthood are reversed. The voice loses some of its deepness, hair growth becomes sparse and may cease all together, and muscles begin to lose some of their tone.
The lowering of testosterone also contributes to some of the natural loss of mental acuity that affects aging men. However, because memory loss is often a natural part of aging, research is now being conducted to see if diminishing testosterone levels may play a part in the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Much of the research is still in the early stages, but already studies show that the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s, increases when testosterone levels, especially of free testosterone, are low. Studies also indicate that men who lose testosterone at a faster rate than others may be at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s.
Tests are currently being conducted to see if increasing testosterone levels will help slow down both the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s. As the tests continue, information should continue to be available on whether or not this will make a difference in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Wed, Apr 21, 2010
Gender-Related