According to a study appearing in an issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), women with naturally increased levels of DHEAs are likely to have better cognitive function than their counterparts with lower levels.
It was revealed by the study that cognitively intact women with higher circulating levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), in the form of DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), fare better on tests of concentration, executive function, and working memory.
From News-Medical.Net:
DHEA is a steroid precursor, which means that it is converted in the body to steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. It is the most abundant circulating sex steroid in women.
Previous studies suggest that DHEA and DHEAS may have neuroprotective effects. These studies also suggest that the decline in the production of these steroids with healthy aging may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration, and thus cognitive decline.
Maintenance of cognitive function in elderly women is influenced by a number of health variables, including diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. Other studies have reported association between these factors and progression to dementia in elderly individuals. “In our study we were specifically interested in the associations between cognitive function and DHEAS, social circumstances, and leisure activities,” said Dr. Davis.
For this study, “Endogenous Androgen Levels in Women across the Adult Life Span,” 295 women, ages 21 to 77 (mean age 55), were recruited from an Australian community-based dataset. Each participant underwent a battery of tests known to measure a wide range of cognitive abilities, including verbal, visual, spatial and working memory, attention and concentration, speed, and accuracy. Women were excluded if they reported any health condition that might potentially adversely affect cognitive function.
Dr. Susan Davis of the Monash University in Victoria, Australia, and lead author of the study, said that the study offers the first evidence suggesting that DHEAs is positively associated with cognitive function.
