Androgen deprivation (AD) therapy for prostate carcinoma can affect cognitive performance, according to a report on a small clinical trial in the April 1st edition of Cancer. When such therapy "is used less than one year, the effects are mostly reversible," Dr. Eeva K. Salminen from University of Turku, Finland told Reuters Health. "They disappear when the treatment is stopped, but they become persistent with long term treatment, over 2 years." Dr. Salminen and colleagues measured cognitive performance on 31 tests in 23 men with prostate carcinoma at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of AD therapy. Testosterone and estradiol levels fell significantly during the first 6 months of therapy and remained low thereafter. Visual memory and recognition speed of numbers were significantly impaired at 6 months, the authors report, whereas verbal fluency was improved at 12 months. In individual subjects (but not at a group level) impairments in visual memory and recognition speed of numbers were greatest in those with the largest decline in estradiol. The largest improvements in verbal fluency were seen in patients with the smallest decline in estradiol. None of the cognitive variables was significantly associated with baseline estradiol levels, the researchers note. "When AD is continued for less than 12 months, detrimental cognitive performance effects should be reversible and minor at the group level," the investigators point out. "The effects of castration may be different on patients with basic psychiatric or neurologic illnesses and with a longer duration of AD." "The patient should discuss this with his doctor" and spouse, if any, Dr. Salminen concluded. "Both need to understand that temporary worsening of cognitive functioning is not related to cancer, but to the treatment." SOURCE: Cancer 2005. Thanks to Cancerpage.com, 3/05 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.