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ANA: Testosterone Therapy May Improve Apathy in Men with Parkinson's By Jill Stein SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- October 27, 2003 -- New data demonstrate a strong basis for considering the use of testosterone- replacement therapy to treat apathy in men with Parkinson's disease. The findings, reported here October 19th at the 128th Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association, are drawn from a study that found that low testosterone levels are significantly associated with apathy in elderly non- demented men with Parkinson's disease. Rebecca E. Ready, PhD, and associates at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, examined the association between total serum testosterone levels, apathy, and depression in men diagnosed with PD. The trial included 49 consecutive non-demented patients with Parkinson's disease and 40 knowledgeable informants. Most informants were spouses, and lived with the patient. The average patient age was nearly 69. Patients and informants reported on the patients' apathy using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale and two Visual Analogue Scales. Patients also reported symptoms of depression on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Blood samples were obtained to determine testosterone levels. Overall, 46% of patients demonstrated low testosterone, defined as less than or equal to 325 ng/dL. Total testosterone was significantly and inversely correlated with patient and informant-reported apathy. Dr. Ready cautioned that the study has several methodological limitations; for example, blood samples were not taken in the morning after an overnight fast, as in some other studies, so that uniformity was not achieved. It is not clear that this is significant, she added, since a diurnal pattern of testosterone secretion is often not present, and testosterone levels fluctuate considerably during the day, and are not always at peak levels in the morning. Dr. Ready also noted that participants were not carefully screened for current medications, tobacco and alcohol use, and co-morbid chronic illness, all of which may affect hormone levels. Another general problem with investigation of testosterone deficiency is the lack of clinical and laboratory criteria to determine testosterone deficiency, particularly in elderly men who experience decreased testosterone levels as a normal part of the aging process. In light of these limitations, the results of the study should be regarded as preliminary and in need of confirmation, Dr. Ready concluded. [Study Title: Apathy and Testosterone Deficiency. Abstract 6] SOURCE: Doctor's Guide (press release) http://tinyurl.com/smpl * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn