Clinical studies carried out to date are
remarkable. They highlight the significant
impact of testosterone on Alzheimer's
disease(1-2-3-4-5).
However, recent publications of eminent
researchers question the effectiveness of
androgens in Alzheimer's disease (6-7).
How to solve these apparent contradictions?
The role of testosterone and androgens to treat
and prevent Alzheimer's disease requires a more
detailed approach.
It seems useful to us to draw attention to the
fact that clinical studies are often founded on
the research of the testosterone rate in blood,
which does not make it possible to have a
precise idea of
androgens' metabolism.
Future studies should go into this field.
A testosterone rate in the blood of 1500 ng/100
ml can correspond to a pathology. On the other
hand, an amount of 350ng/100 ml can be
nonpathological and not requiring a hormonal
substitution.
Clinical studies are often done in double-blind
what makes it possible to have a general idea of
results while having eliminated subjective
factors. They are useful to direct researches.
We would like to draw attention to the hormonal
singularity of each person with Alzheimer's
disease. It would be advisable to make a
detailed study of the
androgens' metabolism
in each patient.
The singular study of androgens
in each person presenting an Alzheimer's disease
makes it possible to prescribe a precise
treatment (testosterone is not the only androgen
available) and well proportioned.
The administration of a standard testosterone
amount is often proposed to treat each patient.
The singularity of the results for each patient
implies a singular androgens' treatment or a
possible singular counter-indication for this
treatment. Failing this, a single and standard
testosterone amount can lead to undesirable
effects (7).
Disappointments
(6) and undesirable effects (7) caused by
testosterone are avoided by a better knowledge
of androgens' therapy. To consider a standard
testosterone amount for each patient is not
reasonable (diabetes or the thyroid
insufficiency is not treated by a usual insulin
dose or a standard dose of thyroxin).