A study shows how testosterone changes brain function between adolescence and adulthood.
- Testosterone is a male hormone often associated with aggressive behavior.
- A study sheds light on the link between the level of this hormone and the functioning of the brain area that manages the control of emotions.
- It shows that aggressiveness linked to testosterone is greater during the passage to adulthood than during adolescence.
Testosterone, a male sex hormone, is often associated with aggressive or dominant behavior. However, a recent study published in Developmental Science shows that its role in the brain varies with age.
According to the research results, testosterone would facilitate the control of emotions in adolescents, but could hinder this control after their twentieth year. This difference in functioning would be linked to the stage of development, and in particular to the way in which testosterone interacts with the anterior prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain which manages the control of emotions.
The researchers showed that in adolescents, testosterone seemed to help regulate emotions, while in adults it could impair this regulation and promote impulsive or aggressive behaviors.
Brain imaging sheds light on link between testosterone and brain activity
To reach these conclusions, the researchers studied 71 people of varying genders, ages, and testosterone levels. Brain imaging revealed changes in the link between testosterone levels and the anterior prefrontal cortex.
Specifically, the analyzes showed that in adolescents, a high concentration of testosterone was associated with a greater density of gray matter in the anterior prefrontal cortex, which is related to the control of emotions.
In adults, on the other hand, an inverse association was observed, with low testosterone concentration correlated with higher gray matter density. These findings suggest that testosterone has a role to play in brain maturation and how it handles emotions throughout life.
The role of testosterone in mental health and sports
This study has practical implications for several areas, such as mental health and sport. Indeed, mood disorders and impulsive behaviors are often associated with emotional regulation problems, which could be influenced by testosterone. The results of this study could therefore help to better understand the causes of these disorders and to develop more effective treatments.
Similarly, in high-level sport, testosterone is often considered a dopant, due to its effects on muscle mass and physical performance. This study suggests that it might be useful to think about finer regulation of its use, taking into account the different periods of development and the specific effects of testosterone on the brain.