WSU Researchers Link Testosterone Levels to Improved Brain Injury Recovery
Detroit,MI – A new study from Wayne State University School of Medicine suggests that restoring healthy testosterone levels may improve outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology,the research indicates a connection between stress hormones,testosterone,and recovery from concussions.
The study, led by Dr.Warren Lockette, Professor of Internal Medicine and Division Chief of Endocrinology, found that stress hormones like adrenaline can exacerbate the effects of concussions. Notably, the research team observed that men experiencing sports-related concussions, and those undergoing intense physical training, often exhibit lowered testosterone levels.
“Our work is especially important for athletes who may already have training-reduced levels of testosterone,” explained Dr. Lockette. The findings suggest a potential new avenue for treating the chronic stress, anxiety, and heightened cardiovascular reactivity frequently experienced after head injuries.
The experiments, conducted using a murine model, were spearheaded by Wayne State University medical student Jack Summers, who began the project as an undergraduate, and were mentored by dr. Lockette. The research also benefited from collaboration with Dr. Daniel Perl, a neuropathologist and TBI expert from the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences, and Dr. Ryan Woodman, a testosterone specialist from the University of California, Davis, and veterans Administration Medical Center in Sacramento.
Dr. Lockette notes a growing number of patients presenting with symptoms of “low T” – including fatigue, low libido, and cognitive difficulties – where a history of concussion may have been previously overlooked. He emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation to determine the cause of low testosterone and appropriate treatment. He also reiterated that concussion prevention remains the most effective strategy.
This research builds upon dr. Lockette’s extensive work examining human performance in extreme environments, including collaborations with U.S. Navy SEAL teams and Special Operations forces. His prior experience as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Clinical Programs and Policy focused on mitigating TBI in service members, a natural precursor to this current examination. Dr. Lockette’s lab also explores the link between daily stress responses, testosterone, and cardiovascular disease within the Detroit metropolitan community.
The study was supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Military Medicine under Grant No. HU0001-23-2-0125.
