Case Report of the PET Scan Changes and Clinical Effects of Testosterone in the Treatment of a Stroke Patient

ABSTRACT

Testosterone has been known to improve functionality in stroke patients. In this case, we sought to illustrate the possible cognitive effects of testosterone replacement therapy with the aid of PET scanning. Glucose metabolism generally worsened in this patient after 12 weeks of treatment. However, there was improved glucose metabolism (CGM) in the occipital lobe, middle temporal gyrus and cerebellum. The middle temporal gyrus is the location of the hippocampus, which is part of the limbic system and plays important roles in long term memory and spatial navigation. The patient reported that he was sharper after testosterone, and clinical testing showed modest improvements in performance. This case finding needs to be confirmed with larger randomized controlled studies; but affords a window to the possibility of adding testosterone for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

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