![EXCITED: "We are interested in seeing if [testosterone supplementation] can delay the onset of these terrible diseases," says ECU's Professor Ralph Martins, AO.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ezJUJGp6GbYvhKygBYtWTb/08d34d6c-b5ac-4374-8e40-d0c047c7a6b7.jpg/r0_218_4256_2611_w576_h298_fmax.webp "EXCITED: \"We are interested in seeing if [testosterone supplementation] can delay the onset of these terrible diseases,\" says ECU's Professor Ralph Martins, AO.")
Taking testosterone supplements can boost men's brain health into old age, a new research review has found.
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Researchers from Edith Cowan University analysed the results of previous randomised control trials that examined if taking testosterone supplements improved cognitive function in older men.
They are now calling for Australian men to volunteer for a new trial to test if testosterone supplementation can delay the onset of dementia.
More than 447,000 Australians have dementia.
Study co-author Associate Professor Hamid Sohrabi said his analysis of previous clinical trials found strong evidence that testosterone supplementation improves decision-making, judgment and problem-solving ability in older men.
"As we age our brains gradually shrink, leading to a decline in memory, problem-solving and other cognitive functions," Dr Sohrabi said. "This evidence shows that testosterone supplementation may help men stay mentally sharp into old age."
Dr Sohrabi is a clinical neuroscientist at ECU's Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care and Murdoch University's School of Psychology and Exercise Science.
The researchers analysed the results of 14 randomised controlled trials, including one recently published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The review's leader, Professor Ralph Martins, said the analysis was particularly exciting because of the potential for testosterone supplementation to delay the onset of dementia.
"Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia cause a progressive deterioration in our cognitive abilities. So we are interested in seeing if it can delay the onset of these terrible diseases," he said.
"If testosterone supplementation, either alone or in combination with other treatments, can delay the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by a few years, this could make a huge difference to the lives of those with the disease and their families."
Professor Martins and Dr Sohrabi have set up their own randomised control trial to test if testosterone supplementation on its own or in combination with fish oil can delay the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.
"We need more male volunteers, aged 60-80, who are concerned about their memory, free from major medical conditions, have their testosterone levels on the low side of normal, and are not currently taking testosterone treatments," Professor Martins said.
For more information about the trial or to volunteer, call (08) 6304-3966 or email here.
