Testosterone levels and cognitive functioning in 209 young Lithuanian men

Abstract

Effects of sex steroids on psychological state of men are still explored insufficiently. Some evidences about the correlation of endogenous testosterone and cognitive functions of young and older men could be found in the earlier studies. The aim of our study was to explore relationship of psychological state of young men with testosterone concentration. 209 young men, mean age 20,8±1,7 years, range, 18-26 years, participating in the european Commission study no QLK4-CT-1999-01422, NAS: QLK4-CT-2001-02911 "The Reproductive Function of Estonia, Latvian and Lithuanian young men" were invited to participate in the substudy evaluating their psychological state. The following tests were performed: Trail Making (TM) test, which shows attention, memory and psychomotoric speed; Wechsler adult Intelligence Scale, digit Span test (DST)- the bigger score in it denotes better cognitive functions; profile of Mood State (POMS), which is related to mood and emotional state. Mean testosterone concentration in the group of healthy Lithuanian men was 26.2±8,4 nmol/l. Mean score of TM test was 60,5±16,8, range 20-120, mean DST score-17,6±3,6, range 7-26, total POMS-20,7±23,4, range-31-111. There were no significant correlations between total testosterone concentration and DST scores and between total testosterone concentration POMS scores. However TM test results correlated with total testosterone concentration significantly (r=0,151, p=003). Results from a big group of healthy young nen confirm that even in a young population testosterone concentration is important for cognitive functions.