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In a world first, researchers at the Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing have discovered that a hormone controlling the release of testosterone is linked to poor memory in older men.

According to a study published in this month's issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease , men with high levels of luteinising hormone (LH) had worse memory than those with lower levels.

Luteinising hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and controls the release of hormones including oestrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Lead author Zoë Hyde said while previous studies had found elevated LH levels in men with Alzheimer's disease, this was the first time that an effect had been seen in healthy men.

"This is an important finding, because the association appears to be independent of testosterone levels, which are controlled by LH.  We know that testosterone acts on the brain in a number of ways, but LH was thought to have no direct effect," Ms Hyde said.

"This study provides new insight into how hormones affect the brain and reveals a potential target for Alzheimer's disease drug therapies.  However, more work is required before we can fully understand the role that LH plays in the brain."

The groundbreaking research is part of the Health in Men Study that has been following a group of over 12,000 men aged 65 and over since 1996.  It is the largest study of ageing men in Australia, and was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

About the Journal:

The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the aetiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behaviour, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease.  The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor.  Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease and clinical trial outcomes.  The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has an Impact Factor of 5.101 according to Thomson Reuters' Journal Citation Reports (2009).  The Journal is published by IOS Press (https://www.iospress.nl).

Media references

Christianne White , WA Centre for Health and Ageing  (+61 8)  9224 2993  /  (+61 4) 15 213 661
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716