Does testosterone improve life for men with Alzheimer's?

Caregivers thought testosterone replacement therapy improved energy, mood and other aspects of well-being for men with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to a small study released online today by Archives of Neurology and slated to appear in the February 2006 print edition.

Testosterone did not make any significant difference compared with placebo on tests of memory, overall function or other measures in the study, which enrolled 16 men age 50 and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer's and 22 with no neurological disorders.

The authors note results of this small study are preliminary and should not be considered a basis for treatment of Alzheimer's with testosterone.