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Lack of testosterone contributes to the development of Parkinson's disease
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
The staff of the American medical center "Rush", who are engaged in a detailed study of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, suggested that the symptoms of the disease may be caused by a lack of testosterone. Parkinson's disease is considered one of the most dangerous diseases that threaten the older generation in the modern world. The disease is typical for people over 60 years old and is caused by the death of neurons in both the brain and the central nervous system.
The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tremor of the upper and lower extremities, mental personality disorders, a sharp increase in muscle tone and hypokinesia (forced low muscle mobility). Most often, the diagnosis of the disease does not cause difficulties: usually doctors only need one of the constant symptoms to confirm the presence of the disease. Today, Parkinson's disease is considered the most common neurodegenerative disease (it is on the list after Alzheimer's disease). In developed countries, about 120-140 people per 100,000 people over 60 suffer from the disease, and the rates are growing every year.
Among the factors that contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease, doctors highlight genetic predisposition, aging, the ecological situation in developed countries and other environmental factors. Premature aging, in turn, can be facilitated by a decrease in the amount of dopamine in the body and a decrease in the total number of dopamine receptors.
American scientists have conducted several experiments that have proven another possible factor influencing the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Specialists from the scientific center believe that a sharp decrease in testosterone levels in the body can cause symptoms identical to those of Parkinson's disease. During the study of the symptoms of the disease, as well as the factors contributing to its development, doctors conducted several experiments on small rodents. The experiments proved the fact that with a drop in testosterone levels, symptoms of Parkinson's disease were noticed in male white laboratory mice. Upon closer examination of the behavior of the rodents, the scientists' guesses were confirmed: in order to quickly reduce testosterone levels, the mice were castrated and soon after the operation, symptoms of Parkinson's disease were noticed in the rodents.
The experts noted that the symptoms in the rodents were virtually identical to the classic symptoms seen in older men who suffer from Parkinson's disease. Testosterone levels in men usually decline with age; such changes may be associated with the aging process, a large number of stressful situations, and chronic diseases. As an experiment, the scientists tried feeding castrated rodents food with hormonal additives, and the result was satisfactory: the symptoms of the disease gradually disappeared.
Doctors believe that this discovery may be one of the most important in recent years. If subsequent studies are successful, scientists will begin developing drugs that can not only cure but also prevent the disease.
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