Clinical Effects and Indications of Testosterone Therapy in Men with Depression-View Presentation

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The symposium chaired by George Grossberg reviewed the role of testosterone therapy in men with depression, a burgeoning topic with significant interest as shown by the record turnout. The symposium featured presentations from multiple experts including Dr. Sarah Almey, Dr. Mitra Kashgar-Jarovi, Dr. Hamid Reza Amanatkar, and Grossberg himself. The primary focus was on the correlation between testosterone levels and mood disorders, especially in middle-aged and older men.<br /><br />Dr. Almey discussed the decline of testosterone in aging men and its relationship with hypogonadism, highlighting its prevalent occurrence in older demographics. She pointed out that testosterone, a neuroactive steroid, positively influences mood by increasing serotonin and neuroplasticity as demonstrated in animal models. She presented data supporting the necessity of evaluating testosterone levels in older men exhibiting depressive symptoms.<br /><br />Dr. Kashgar-Jarovi presented meta-analyses showing testosterone therapy's positive impact on mood, particularly in hypogonadal men. However, testosterone's effectiveness in eugonadal men remained contested. Risks such as increased prostate cancer likelihood and side effects were also mentioned as concerns.<br /><br />Grossberg shared insights on testosterone therapy's impact specifically on older adults, mentioning limited research and data in this demographic. He emphasized caution due to potential side effects and advocated for testosterone as an augmentation strategy rather than a sole treatment for major depression, particularly in older men.<br /><br />Dr. Amanatkar discussed clinical considerations for identifying appropriate candidates for testosterone therapy, underlining the significance of distinguishing low testosterone-induced depressive symptoms from those arising from other conditions.<br /><br />Questions from the audience touched on diagnostic specifics, testosterone therapy's long-term effects, and the need for further research, stressing the necessity for better clinical guidelines and collaborative care in the management of depression with testosterone therapy.

Keywords

testosterone therapy

depression

George Grossberg

mood disorders

hypogonadism

neuroactive steroid

serotonin

neuroplasticity

meta-analyses

prostate cancer

augmentation strategy

clinical guidelines