Parkinson's in men may be linked to testosterone decline

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience;Men's Health Article Date: 30 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT

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Parkinson's disease in men may be linked to a sudden decline in testosterone, a study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center analyzed a number of male mice who had been castrated, dramatically decreasing their testosterone levels, and they found that the mice showed increased symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Kalipada Pahan, professor of neurology at the university, explains, "While scientists use different toxins and a number of complex genetic approaches to model Parkinson's disease in mice, we have found that the sudden drop in the levels of testosterone following castration is sufficient to cause persistent Parkinson's-like pathology and symptoms in male mice."

However, the researchers add that when the mice were given supplementation of testosterone in the form of 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT) pellets, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease were reversed.

According to the researchers, in healthy males, testosterone is at its maximum levels in the mid-30s, gradually decreasing each year after then by around 1%. But they add that testosterone levels could also dramatically drop as a result of stress or other sudden life-changing events.

Dr. Kalipada Pahan adds:

"In men, testosterone levels are intimately coupled to many disease processes. Therefore, preservation of testosterone in males may be an important step to become resistant to Parkinson's disease."

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the nervous system, which can affect how a person moves. Symptoms are progressive, usually beginning with small tremors in one hand.

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Parkinson's in men may be linked to testosterone decline

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