<p>Men who undergo a common treatment for prostate cancer may be at increased risk of dementia, according to a new study.<br /><br />Their previous studies have shown men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) - a testosterone-lowering therapy - may be at an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, compared to men who were not treated with the therapy.<br /><br />This new analysis - the largest of its kind ever performed on this topic - shows that all existing studies taken together support the link to dementia and show a possible link to Alzheimer's.<br /><br />"Since publishing our initial findings, there has been a lot of other research on this topic, and we wanted to see what that research was saying," said Kevin Nead, from the University of Pennsylvania in the US.<br /><br />"This analysis tells us that the composite message of existing studies is that androgen deprivation therapy is associated with dementia," said Nead.<br /><br />The team compiled data from four different global databases looking at studies on ADT patients and dementia and Alzheimer's. An analysis of more than 50,000 patients worldwide showed a consistent statistical link between men who underwent ADT for prostate cancer and men who developed dementia.<br /><br />The numbers show correlation, not causation at this point, but that there is evidence of a direct connection, Nead said. "Research shows androgens play a key role in neuron maintenance and growth, so the longer you undergo this therapy to decrease androgens, the more it may impact the brain's normal functions," he said.<br /><br />The analysis was less conclusive on the question of Alzheimer's. While there was still a connection, it was not as clearly defined as the link to dementia.<br /><br />Evidence for a link between ADT and neurocognitive dysfunction is growing and should be part of the conversation between doctors and patients, Nead said.<br /><br />"There's enough evidence of these links that patients should know about them when considering their options," he said.<br /><br />The findings were published in the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.</p>
<p>Men who undergo a common treatment for prostate cancer may be at increased risk of dementia, according to a new study.<br /><br />Their previous studies have shown men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) - a testosterone-lowering therapy - may be at an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, compared to men who were not treated with the therapy.<br /><br />This new analysis - the largest of its kind ever performed on this topic - shows that all existing studies taken together support the link to dementia and show a possible link to Alzheimer's.<br /><br />"Since publishing our initial findings, there has been a lot of other research on this topic, and we wanted to see what that research was saying," said Kevin Nead, from the University of Pennsylvania in the US.<br /><br />"This analysis tells us that the composite message of existing studies is that androgen deprivation therapy is associated with dementia," said Nead.<br /><br />The team compiled data from four different global databases looking at studies on ADT patients and dementia and Alzheimer's. An analysis of more than 50,000 patients worldwide showed a consistent statistical link between men who underwent ADT for prostate cancer and men who developed dementia.<br /><br />The numbers show correlation, not causation at this point, but that there is evidence of a direct connection, Nead said. "Research shows androgens play a key role in neuron maintenance and growth, so the longer you undergo this therapy to decrease androgens, the more it may impact the brain's normal functions," he said.<br /><br />The analysis was less conclusive on the question of Alzheimer's. While there was still a connection, it was not as clearly defined as the link to dementia.<br /><br />Evidence for a link between ADT and neurocognitive dysfunction is growing and should be part of the conversation between doctors and patients, Nead said.<br /><br />"There's enough evidence of these links that patients should know about them when considering their options," he said.<br /><br />The findings were published in the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.</p>