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Perimenopause-Related Mood and Behavioral Disorders
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC), June 2008
Sponsored by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001231
  Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate mood and behavior changes in the time period surrounding and including menopause. This is an observational study; volunteers who participate will not receive any new or experimental therapies.

Controversy exists regarding the relationship between estrogen and progesterone (gonadal steroid) changes and midlife-onset depression. This study will examine the role of gonadal steroids in perimenopausal mood and behavioral disorders.

Perimenopausal women with depression symptoms and a control group of healthy perimenopausal volunteers will be compared to identify correlates of the occurrence of depression. Participants with depressive symptoms may also participate in companion studies that will test the antidepressant efficacy of phytoestrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS).

A group of younger pre-perimenopausal women with normal menstrual cycle functioning will be followed through menopause in an effort to confirm the association of depression onset with changes in reproductive endocrine functioning....


Condition
Depression
Healthy
Perimenopausal Depression

MedlinePlus related topics: Depression Menopause
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: The Evaluation of Women With Perimenopause-Related Mood and Behavioral Disorders

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

Estimated Enrollment: 900
Study Start Date: July 1988
Detailed Description:

Controversy exists regarding the relevance of changes in gonadal steroids for midlife onset depressions. In this protocol, we examine the possible role of gonadal steroids in these disorders in two ways. First, we identify groups of both depressed and asymptomatic women who are in the perimenopause (as defined endocrinologically). Patients and controls are compared using baseline biological and phenomenological (e.g. life events, hot flushes) measures in an attempt to identify potentially meaningful correlates of the occurrence of depression. Patient subjects also serve as participants in companion protocols designed to identify the antidepressant efficacy of estradiol and DHEA administration. Second, we identify younger preperimenopausal women with normal menstrual cycle function, who are followed longitudinally through the menopause in an effort to confirm the association of depression onset with change in reproductive endocrine function. This protocol, then, serves as a screening protocol to recruit subjects who are characterized with standard measures in this protocol and then offered participation in related studies.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   40 Years to 60 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria
  • PATIENT/VOLUNTEER ENROLLMENT

CROSS-SECTIONAL SCREENING:

INCLUSION CRITERIA

History within the last one year of at least one month with perimenopause-related mood or behavioral disturbances of at least moderate severity - that is, disturbances that are distinct in appearance and associated with a notable degree of functional impairment;

Age 40-60;

History of the onset of menstrual irregularity during the past six months but not greater than one year of amenorrhea (i.e., not postmenopausal);

Biological evidence of a deterioration of normal ovarian activity, specifically, plasma FSH levels persistently elevated (greater than 14 IU/L) drawn at two week intervals over a period of eight weeks;

No prior estrogen replacement therapy for treatment of perimenopausal physical or emotional symptoms within the last six months.

Good medical health

CONTROL GROUP

A control group of age-matched perimenopausal women who meet patient selection criteria with the exception of the presence of mood or behavioral disorders will also be sought.

LONGITUDINAL SCREENING:

The pre-perimenopausal women (regular cycling) will be women who meet the following criteria:

Regular menstrual cycle function (21-34 days),

Absence of current mood or behavioral disturbances as determined by a structured diagnostic interview,

Plasma gonadotropin levels in pre-perimenopausal range (less than 14 IU/L),

In good medical health,

Medication free.

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00001231

Contacts
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office (800) 411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Contact: Peter J. Schmidt, M.D. (301) 496-6120 PeterSchmidt@mail.nih.gov

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike Recruiting
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Study ID Numbers: 880131, 88-M-0131
Study First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: July 19, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001231  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Mood
Behavior
Cognition
Climacteric
Menopause
Perimenopause
Midlife
Depression

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Depression
Mental Disorders
Mood Disorders
Healthy
Depressive Disorder
Menopause
Behavioral Symptoms

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 30, 2009