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Effects on the Brain of Lupron Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism With and Without Testosterone Replacement
This study has been completed.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001412
  Purpose

There is evidence that suggests male sex hormones (androgens) play a significant role in brain (central nervous system) functioning. In studies conducted with animals, researchers have documented that male sex hormones (androgens) are associated with neurotransmitter (serotonin) function, sexual behavior, aggression, and other non-reproductive behavior. Similar findings have been seen in studies involving humans.

Androgens are thought to be involved in some neurologic conditions. Tourette's syndrome which is seen more often in males than females has caused researchers to look more closely at the effects of androgens on the brain.

This study is designed to examine the effects of testosterone on brain (CNS) activity by first stopping testosterone release and then replacing it.

Researchers will evaluate mood, behavior, cognitive (mental) function, physiologic response to serotonergic agonists and regional cerebral blood flow (r-CBF).

This study will attempt to answer the following questions;

1. Is a person's mental functioning a result of being male or female (gender) or a result of the hormonal condition

3. Does the decrease of blood flow (r-CBF) to specific areas of the brain (prefrontal cortex) in women whose ovaries are not releasing hormones (hypogonadal state) also occur in men

4. Will the mental rotation task better identify hormone (gonadal steroid) differences in r-CBF

5. Do hormones directly influence the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

6. Does the hormonal state of a patient directly affect levels of chemicals and steroids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).


Condition
Hypogonadism

Drug Information available for: Testosterone Methyltestosterone Oxymesterone Testosterone enanthate Testosterone Propionate Testosterone undecanoate Leuprolide acetate Leuprolide Gonadorelin Gonadorelin hydrochloride LH-RH
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: The Central Nervous System Effects of Pharmacologically Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism With and Without Testosterone Replacement

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 70
Study Start Date: December 1993
Estimated Study Completion Date: November 2001
Detailed Description:

Several types of evidence suggest that androgens exert clinically significant effects on central nervous system (CNS) function. In animal studies, androgens modulate brain serotonin function, and regulate sexual behavior, aggression, and other non-reproductive behaviors. These actions reflect both organizational and activational effects of androgens. Several studies in humans also support the central modulatory capacity of androgens. Correlative studies have described relationships between plasma androgen levels and sexual interest/behavior and cognitive task performance. Androgens are believed to underlie gender related differences in the prevalence of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, resulting in trials of anti-androgens in at least one of these disorders (Tourette's syndrome). Finally, androgens are believed to possess psychotropic effects in humans, evidenced by purported antidepressant effects and reports of psychotic reactions following administration of androgens. In a recent study, we demonstrated that androgenic/anabolic steroids precipitated mood and behavioral state disturbances when administered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion in normal volunteers. There are remarkably few studies that attempt to identify the CNS effects of androgens or the central systems that may mediate these effects. In this study we propose to examine directly the effects of testosterone on CNS activity by first suppressing and then, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, replacing physiological levels of testosterone. We will evaluate mood, behavior, cognitive function, physiologic response to serotonergic agonists and cerebral blood flow (separate protocols) during both pharmacologically controlled hormonal conditions: hypogonadism and hypogonadism with testosterone replacement. On the basis of prior findings from our group and from others, we will be asking the following questions: 1) Does cognitive function differ as a function of gender or of hormonal condition; 2) Is the decreased r-CBF that we observed in the prefrontal cortex during the hypogonadal state in women also demonstrable in men; 3) Do measures of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsivity differ as a function of gender or of hormonal condition; and 4) Do CSF neurochemistry and neurosteroid levels differ as a consequence of changing hormonal state. This protocol will not only provide much needed information about the behavioral and physiological effects of androgens but will serve as a companion study for NIMH protocol #92-M-172, "The Central Nervous System Effects of Pharmacologically Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism with and without Estrogen and Progressive Replacement."

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Male
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Age 18-45.

Males.

No current mood symptoms.

No past psychiatric history.

Not taking ongoing medications.

No medical illnesses.

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00001412

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

Publications:
Study ID Numbers: 940037, 94-M-0037
Study First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: March 3, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001412  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Gonadal Steroids
Central Nervous System Function
GnRH Agonist
Testosterone
Leuprolide Acetate
Mood
Behavior
Cognitive Function

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Deslorelin
Testosterone
Hypogonadism
Leuprolide
Gonadal Disorders
Endocrine System Diseases
Methyltestosterone
Endocrinopathy
Testosterone 17 beta-cypionate

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Anabolic Agents
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
Antineoplastic Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists
Hormones
Pharmacologic Actions
Androgens

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009