Abstract
The effects of long-term testosterone administration on 3 poorly androgenized male adolescents were studied. In all three Ss, repeated measures were taken on EEG resistance to photic stimulation. This measure has previously been shown to be associated with level of arousal of the adrenergic system. In addition, on two Ss, repeated measures of ability to perform a highly practiced simple repetitive task called an “automatized” task were taken. This measure has previously been demonstrated to be associated with anthropometric indices of androgenicity. The design involved weekly measures of the dependent variables over the following conditions: pre-treatment, treatment with depo-testosterone, a double-blind placebo treatment (for 2 Ss), and a second depo-testosterone treatment (for the same 2 Ss). This was done over 20 to 40 wk. Results showed that in all 3 Ss there was a relationship between the testosterone administration and the EEG measure; that is, the androgen injections facilitated EEG resistance to photic stimulation. In 2 Ss given repeated measures on the automatized task, it was found that testosterone administration was also positively correlated with the ability to perform this task. These results suggest that testosterone acts in a way similar to a mild adrenergic stimulant.
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