Re: Hypogonanidism (low testosterone level) and CMT?

[Guest guest]

Low libido in both men and women with CMT is sometimes related to pain, fatigue

and medications for such. Below are 3 abstracts on testerone related research.

Eur Neurol. 1994;34(3):155-7.

Impotence associated with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.Bird TD,

Lipe HP, Crabtree LD.

Department of Medicine (Neurology and Medical Genetics), University

of Washington, Seattle.

We report 7 men (ages 45-61 years) with impotence associated with the

Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT). The range of onset of erectile

dysfunction varied from 38 to 55 years of age. One patient had

classic CMT 1A with autosomal dominant inheritance, slow motor nerve

conduction velocities and the 17p DNA duplication. One had probable

type-II hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. None of the patients

had diabetes. There was some benefit from papaverine injection

therapy or penile implants. The association of impotence with CMT is

likely to be more common than previously recognized.

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Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2001 Nov;37(1-3):360-71.

Neuroactive steroids and peripheral myelin proteins.

Magnaghi V, Cavarretta I, Galbiati M, i L, Melcangi RC.

Department of Endocrinology and Center of Excellence for Neurodegenerative

Disorders, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy.

The present review summarizes observations obtained in our laboratories which

underline the importance of neuroactive steroids (i.e., progesterone (PROG),

dihydroprogesterone (5alpha-DH PROG), tetrahydroprogesterone (3alpha, 5alpha-TH

PROG), testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and

5alpha-androstan-3alpha,17beta-diol (3alpha-diol)) in the control of the gene

expression of myelin proteins (i.e. glycoprotein Po (Po) and the peripheral

myelin protein 22 (PMP22)) in the peripheral nervous system. Utilizing different

in vivo (aged and adult male rats) and in vitro (Schwann cell cultures)

experimental models, we have observed that neuroactive steroids are able to

stimulate the mRNA levels of Po and PMP22. The effects of these neuroactive

steroids, which are able to interact with classical (progesterone receptor, PR,

and androgen receptor, AR) and non-classical (GABA(A) receptor) steroid

receptors is further supported by our demonstration in sciatic nerve and/or

Schwann cells of the presence of these receptors. On the basis of the

observations obtained in the Schwann cells cultures, we suggest that the

stimulatory effect of neuroactive steroids on Po is acting through PR, while

that on PMP22 needs the GABA(A) receptor. The present findings might be of

importance for the utilization of specific receptor ligands as new therapeutical

approaches for the rebuilding of the peripheral myelin, particularly in those

situations in which the synthesis of Po and PMP22 is altered (i.e. demyelinating

diseases like Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A and type 1B, hereditary neuropathy

with liability to pressure palsies and the Déjérine-Sottas syndrome, aging, and

after peripheral injury).

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J Mol Neurosci. 2008 Mar;34(3):249-53. Epub 2008 Jan 9. Links

Neuroactive Steroid Levels in a transgenic rat model of CMT1A Neuropathy.Caruso

D, Scurati S, Roglio I, Nobbio L, Schenone A, Melcangi RC.

Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Center for Metrological Traceability

in Laboratory Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) represents 80% of all the demyelinating

hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies. As recently suggested, neuroactive

steroids may have a role in a therapeutic strategy for peripheral neuropathies,

including CMT1A. To this aim, an accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis

of neuroactive steroid levels in this disease could be extremely important to

define effective pharmacological strategies. We here analyzed by liquid

chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry the levels of neuroactive steroids

present in the sciatic nerve of male and female peripheral myelin protein 22

transgenic rats (PMP22(tg) rats; i.e., an experimental model of CMT1A) and of

the corresponding wild-type littermates. We observed that, both in PMP22(tg)

rats and in the wild types, the levels of neuroactive steroids, such as

progesterone, tetrahydroprogesterone (THP), isopregnanolone (3beta,5alpha-THP),

testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol

(3alpha-diol) are sexually dimorphic. It is interesting to note that the levels

of 3beta,5alpha-THP and of 3alpha-diol, which are exclusively detectable in

sciatic nerve of female and male rats, respectively, are strongly decreased in

PMP22(tg) rats. 3beta,5alpha-THP and 3alpha-diol are modulators of gamma-amino

butyric acid A receptor. Thus, the present findings may be considered an

interesting background for experiments aimed to evaluate the possible

therapeutic effects of modulators of this neurotransmitter receptor in male and

female PMP22(tg) rats.

[Guest guest]

Yes I do. No official link has been made between my CMT and this

condition although I have my suspicions. I have discontinued hormone

therapy because in spite of my blood levels of free testosterone improving

significantly, I experienced none of the benefits that should have occurred. The

only reason that I will restart the hormone therapy will be if I start having

bone density issues.

I encourage you to take all steps recommended by your Dr's and make

decisions based on your experience. Like it is said over and over again in this

group, we are all so very different. I wish you the best.

P

[Guest guest]

I took opiates for quite a while, and it did reduce my libido. I

checked around and found it's common. Some docs give testosterone to

patients taking strong opiates like methodone.

>

> Hypogonadism is the term for low testosterone levels. Is this condition

> associated with CMT and low libido in men with CMT? From what I've read

> testosterone levels can be affected by opiate painkillers and some

> medical conditions. Does anyone out there have any experience with this

> medical condition?

>