Testosterone may help after menopause
Testosterone could provide a “preventative measure” against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, after a new Monash University pilot study showed “promising results”. The Women’s Health Research study evaluated post-menopausal women aged 55 to 70 years and found improvement in verbal learning, memory and visual learning in these participants.
Testosterone could provide a “preventative measure” against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, after a new Monash University pilot study showed “promising results”.
The Women’s Health Research study evaluated post-menopausal women aged 55 to 70 years and found improvement in verbal learning, memory and visual learning in these participants.
Lead researcher Professor Susan Davis told DPS News the team was now recruiting participants for its next phase which will involve effects of cognitive performance.
She said the study would look at testosterone to determine whether it could help to prevent decline in memory or if it could improve memory and learning.
According to Professor Davis, if results showed testosterone was effective in improving brain function after menopause then it may have a role in relaying cognitive decline and prevent the development of dementia.
“It would have a huge benefit for older people,” she said, adding larger studies reviewing the effects on healthy women after taking testosterone would be needed to reach any solid evidence.
If the next phase of the study proves successful, Professor Davis claims more money would need to be spent on researching testosterone and how it could prevent women from developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Post-menopausal women interested in taking part in the study can call the Women’s Health Research Program on (03) 9903 0820.
