Effects on the Brain of Lupron Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism With and Without Testosterone Replacement
Information source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on March 21, 2008
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Hypogonadism
Phase: N/A
Status: Completed
Sponsored by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Summary
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).
Clinical Details
Official title: The Central Nervous System Effects of Pharmacologically Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism With and Without Testosterone Replacement
Study design: N/A
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
Minimum age: N/A.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Male.
Criteria:
Age 18-45.
Males.
No current mood symptoms.
No past psychiatric history.
Not taking ongoing medications.
No medical illnesses.
Locations and Contacts
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
Additional Information
Related publications: Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ. Androgens, brain, and behavior. Am J Psychiatry. 1996 Aug;153(8):974-84. Review. Handa RJ, Burgess LH, Kerr JE, O'Keefe JA. Gonadal steroid hormone receptors and sex differences in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Horm Behav. 1994 Dec;28(4):464-76. Review. Su TP, Pagliaro M, Schmidt PJ, Pickar D, Wolkowitz O, Rubinow DR. Neuropsychiatric effects of anabolic steroids in male normal volunteers. JAMA. 1993 Jun 2;269(21):2760-4.
Starting date: December 1993
Ending date: November 2001
Last updated: March 3, 2008
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