Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 919, Issue 1, 16 November 2001, Pages 160-165
Brain Research

Short communication
Testosterone attenuates β-amyloid toxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(01)03024-4Get rights and content

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that testosterone has neurotrophic and perhaps neuroprotective actions. Thus, age-related depletion of testosterone may increase the brain’s vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. To begin investigating this issue, cultured neurons were exposed to the Alzheimer-related insult β-amyloid in the presence of testosterone. β-Amyloid neurotoxicity was significantly reduced by testosterone via a rapid, estrogen-independent mechanism. These data may provide additional insight into the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the NIA (AG05142) and the Alzheimer’s Association (IIRG-99-1637).

References (35)

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