NLM Citation ID:
15314124 (PubMed)
Comment:
Full Source Title:
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and
Psychiatry
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Author Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior,
Brown Medical School, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
rready@ucsur.pitt.edu
Authors:
Ready RE; Friedman J; Grace J; Fernandez H
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Low testosterone in men with Parkinson's disease may be
associated with non-motor symptoms of the disease, such as apathy. OBJECTIVE: To
determine the association between free serum testosterone level and apathy in elderly men with Parkinson's disease. METHODS:
Consecutive non-demented patients (n = 49) and knowledgeable informants (n = 40)
participated in the study. Patients and informants reported on apathy using the
Frontal Systems Behavior Scale and two visual analogue scales. Patients also
provided self reported symptoms of depression on the Beck depression
inventory-II. Blood samples were drawn at the time of assessment to determine
testosterone levels. RESULTS: A low total testosterone concentration was found in 46.9% of the
patients, defined as < or = 325 ng/dl. Free testosterone was significantly
correlated with both patient reported and informant reported apathy, independent
of disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Apathy is common in Parkinson's disease and is
inversely correlated with free testosterone. Testosterone replacement therapy
could be considered as a potential treatment for apathy in some men with
Parkinson's disease. More research is needed to replicate these findings and to
investigate the response to treatment.
Additional Subjects:
Chemical Compound Name:
58-22-0(Testosterone)
Grant ID:
1F32AG20008-01 AG NIA
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