Protocol Number: 03-M-0175

Title:

The Effects of Acute Withdrawal of Estradiol on Mood Symptoms in Women with Perimenopausal Depression

Number:

03-M-0175

Summary:

This study evaluates the effects on mood when stopping estrogen replacement therapy.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of estrogen levels on perimenopausal depression. This study will examine short-term withdrawal of estrogen in women whose mood had improved with estrogen therapy.

Perimenopause-related mood disorders cause significant distress in a large number of women. Evidence suggests that estradiol may have beneficial effects in women with perimenopausal depression. However, the effect of declining estradiol secretion during perimenopause has not been fully examined.

Peri- and post-menopausal women who experience a remission of perimenopause-related depression symptoms while on estrogen therapy and a control group of healthy volunteers on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be switched from their current form of HRT to estradiol for a 3-week period; volunteers will also complete symptom ratings to confirm the absence of mood symptoms. Participants will then be randomly assigned to either continue estradiol or take a placebo (an inactive pill) for an additional 3 weeks. Mood ratings will be used to determine response to estradiol withdrawal.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): Male

Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects for this study will meet the following criteria:

Women with a past perimenopause-related depression (within 12 years) and whose depression responded to ET will be recruited to participate in this randomized, parallel-design, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Women with histories of either perimenopausal depression that was not responsive to ET or hormone replacement therapy-induced dysphoria due to either the estrogen or the progesterone components of their hormone replacement will be excluded.

The diagnosis of perimenopause-related depression will be based on a history of a past depressive episode (major or minor depression confirmed by SCID or SADS-L, respectively) at midlife in association with menstrual cycle irregularity and the history of remission (also confirmed by SCID or SADS-L) of this depression after ET.

Additionally, all women will report that they were placed on HRT for the treatment of perimenopausal symptoms, including depression. To control for the effects of the hormonal manipulations in this protocol, we will also recruit a group of asymptomatic controls on ET and with no previous history of perimenopause-related depression or HRT-induced dysphoria.

Age 45 to 65;

In good medical health.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

The following conditions will constitute contraindications to participate in this protocol:

1. past history of severe major depression with suicidal ideation

2. current treatment with antidepressant medications

3. history of ischemic cardiac disease, pulmonary embolism, or thrombophlebitis

4. renal disease

5. hepatic dysfunction

6. women with a history of carcinoma of the breast

7. women with a history of uterine cancer, ill-defined pelvic lesions, particularly undiagnosed ovarian enlargement, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

8. pregnant women

9. cerebrovascular disease (stroke)

10. recurrent migraine headaches

Special Instructions:

Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Hormone Replacement

Gonadal Steroids

Estrogen

Major Depression

Minor Depression

Perimenopause

Estradiol

Depression

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Depression

Perimenopause

Perimenopausal Depression

Condition(s):

Perimenopausal Depression

Post-menopausal

Healthy

Depression

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Mental Health

Contact(s):

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, LaCroix AZ, Kooperberg C, Stefanick ML, Jackson RD, Beresford SA, Howard BV, Johnson KC, Kotchen JM, Ockene J. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002 Jul 17;288(3):321-33.

Serin IS, Ozcelik B, Basbug M, Aygen E, Kula M, Erez R. Long-term effects of continuous oral and transdermal estrogen replacement therapy on sex hormone binding globulin and free testosterone levels. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2001 Dec 1;99(2):222-5.

Schmidt PJ, Nieman L, Danaceau MA, Tobin MB, Roca CA, Murphy JH, Rubinow DR. Estrogen replacement in perimenopause-related depression: a preliminary report. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000 Aug;183(2):414-20.

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