To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Androgen-Depletion Therapy May Trigger Cognitive Decline in Prostate Cancer Patients URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22685E.htm Doctor's Guide July 28, 2008
HOBOKEN, NJ -- July 28, 2008 -- Hormone deprivation therapy may have subtle adverse effects on cognition in patients, according to a recent review of the literature which will appear in the September 1 issue of CANCER. The study indicates that clinicians and patients should be aware of these potential effects and watch closely for their appearance. Research has indicated that androgen depletion may impact cognitive functioning, but only a handful of relatively small studies have investigated the impact, and the results have been contradictory. Christian Nelson, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, and colleagues recently conducted the first review of these studies and summarised their overall results. After performing a systematic literature search of studies, Dr. Nelson's team found that testosterone and its derivatives may impact cognition via several mechanisms in the brain. For example, testosterone can modulate neurotransmitters and stimulate the connections between neurons. Furthermore, studies that have examined the impact of androgen depletion therapy in prostate cancer patients indicate that between 47% and 69% of men being treated decline in at least 1 cognitive area -- most commonly in processes dependent on spatial ability and in high-order capacities such as the ability to multi-task. The findings indicate that larger, more thorough studies that include brain imaging techniques are needed to better understand the nature and extent of the cognitive effects of androgen depletion. "As the use of androgen depletion therapy increases, clinicians should become aware of this relationship [with cognitive decline] and inform and monitor patients for this possible side effect of treatment," said the authors. SOURCE: Wiley-Blackwell --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.