Cognitive functions and sex steroids.

Full Abstract

In humans, levels of adrenal (DHEA(S)) and gonadal (estradiol, testosterone) sex steroids decline with age. Studies in rodents have demonstrated that these hormones can have neuro-excitatory and neuro-protective effects in the central nervous system (CNS). Behavioural studies repeatedly have reported enhanced memory performance of rats and mice after acute or sub-chronic treatment with sex steroids. The current review summarizes human studies on this topic conducted by the author as well as other groups. Epidemiological as well as experimental studies have in general shown that estradiol replacement improves cognition, especially verbal memory in menopausal women. Similarly positive effects of testosterone replacement in older men have been reported in several, but not all studies. Cognition enhancing effects of DHEA replacement in older healthy humans in contrast could not be demonstrated with short (weeks) or prolonged (months) treatment regimes. Even though most results support the notion that estradiol in women and testosterone in men can enhance cognition in older healthy humans, more research is needed before recommendations for the clinical practice can be made.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Wolf, O T (OT);

Affiliation: Institute of Experimental Psychology II, University of Duesseldorf, Geb. 23.02, Ebene 01, Raum 43, Universitaetsstrasse 1, D-40225 Duesseldorf, Germany. oliver.wolf(-atsign-)uni-duesseldorf.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Annales d'endocrinologie (Ann Endocrinol (Paris)), published in France. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 64 (issue 2) : pp 158-61

Dates: Created 2003/05/29; Completed 2003/07/02; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 12773955, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aging
Animals
Cognition
Dehydroepiandrosterone - physiology
Estradiol - physiology

Estradiol - physiology
Female
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - physiology
Humans
Male
Testosterone - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Gonadal Steroid Hormones (0) ; Estradiol (50-28-2) ; Dehydroepiandrosterone (53-43-0) ; Testosterone (58-22-0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.