HealthyNCT00001543
Dynamics of Leptin and Endocrine Function
An observational study of Healthy and Involutional Depression, run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is a study investigating the hormones and substances important to the stress response. The hormone that is most directly responsible for stress response is called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy, Involutional Depression
- How many people
- 230 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Mar 1996to Jun 2002
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Depressed patients must have a history of past major depression of at least four months duration, or a history of two or more briefer episodes. Must be overweight.
Must not need a hospital admission as part of their treatment.
Overweight normal volunteers.
No subjects on chronic medication which cannot be washed out for one month.
No subjects with any serious medical illness.
No women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or sexually active and not using effective contraception.
No patients with HIV infection.
No subjects who cannot discontinue use of alcohol/tobacco.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
About this study
This is a study investigating the hormones and substances important to the stress response. The hormone that is most directly responsible for stress response is called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and causes the pituitary gland to produce another hormone called ACTH. The hormone ACTH then acts on the adrenal glands causing them to produce the hormone cortisol.
Unfortunately, CRH levels are unable to be measured in simple blood samples. However, substances like cortisol and leptin can provide information as to the activity of the hypothalamus.
Read more
The hormone leptin is associated with the regulation of body weight and the normal maintenance of bodily functions (homeostasis). It is found in fat cell (adipocyes) and communicates the nutritional status of the body to the brain (central nervous system). Research using animals has shown that defects in the communication between leptin and the brain causes obesity (the state of being overweight). It has also been noted that obese humans tend to have high levels of leptin.
By studying patients with abnormal genes responsible for leptin production, researchers have found that a least one leptin gene must be intact for the normal secretion of hormones to proceed. These results show that the hormone leptin is produced outside of the brain in fat cells and acts directly on the function of the hypothalamus within the brain. Researchers believe that leptin plays a key role in the normal release of hormones from the HPA axis.
Researchers intend on continuing to study the role of leptin in fat distribution, and the activity of the HPA axis in normal volunteers. In addition, this study will focus on the role of leptin in depression, because depression is characterized by changes in food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine function. Data gathered from this study will provide a better understanding of the causes and medical consequences of major depression.
Read the detailed description
Our group has tested the hypothesis that the molecules involved in the neurobiology of the stress response are key elements in the pathophysiology, treatment, and medical consequences of major depressive disorder. Leptin is implicated in the regulation of adipose tissue, body weight and homeostasis. In the first three years of this protocol we accomplished the following: (1) discovered leptin pulsatility; (2) showed that is secreted in a highly organized manner in men and women; (3) showed for the first time in humans an inverse relation between rapid fluctuations in plasma leptin concentrations in healthy volunteers and those of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol; (4) demonstrated a complex relation between the minute-to-minute dynamics of leptin and those of luteinizing hormone and estradiol; (5) showed a striking correlation between the 24-h dynamics of leptin and those of TSH and GH; (6) demonstrated highly significant correlation between hourly fluctuations of leptin levels and those of psychometric variables such as sadness, social withdrawal, and carbohydrate craving, and (7) showed that women produce twice as much leptin per secretory event than men. By studying patients with a leptin gene mutation we showed that at least one intact copy of the leptin gene is required for the regulation of TSH function and GH architecture in humans. These results indicate that leptin, a peripherally secreted molecule, appears to modulate the secretion of hypothalamic hormones. We have therefore proposed that hypothalamic neuroendocrine transduction, a key function of the CNS, may be regulated by leptin, a peripheral pulsatile signal of nutritional status. We would like to continue and expand our studies on the interactions of leptin, fat distribution, and the pituitary-adrenal axis in normal volunteers and also in patients with depression, because depression is characterized by alterations in food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine function. Leptin profoundly affects the regulation of these three parameters. Leptin also increases insulin resistance, being therefore a risk factor for coronary artery disease, which is more prevalent and associated with higher mortality in depressed patients than in the general population. The data to be generated by this study will provide a better understanding of pathophysiology and medical consequences of major depression.
- Conditions
- Healthy, Involutional Depression
- Keywords
- Major Depression, Metabolic Clearance Rate, Pulsatility, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Cortisol, Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Binding Protein, Pharmacokinetics, Half-Life, Bioavailability, Cushing's Syndrome
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major, Cushing Syndrome
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Study startMar 1996
- Study completionJun 2002
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrolment
- 230 participants
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001543
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 960048
- Other IDs
- 96-M-0048
- Status last verified
- Jun 2002
- First submitted
- 3 Nov 1999
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2008
- Results posted
- No
Publications
Behan DP, Linton EA, Lowry PJ. Isolation of the human plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor-binding protein. J Endocrinol. 1989 Jul;122(1):23-31. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1220023.
PubMed 2549150Campbell EA, Linton EA, Wolfe CD, Scraggs PR, Jones MT, Lowry PJ. Plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone concentrations during pregnancy and parturition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 May;64(5):1054-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-64-5-1054.
PubMed 3494036Gold PW, Goodwin FK, Chrousos GP. Clinical and biochemical manifestations of depression. Relation to the neurobiology of stress (1). N Engl J Med. 1988 Aug 11;319(6):348-53. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198808113190606. No abstract available.
PubMed 3292920
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2008. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Dynamics of Leptin and Endocrine Function
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00001543
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 960048
- Conditions
- Healthy, Involutional Depression
- Keywords
- Major Depression, Metabolic Clearance Rate, Pulsatility, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Cortisol, Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Binding Protein, Pharmacokinetics, Half-Life
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 230 participants
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- Mar 1996
- Study completion
- Jun 2002
- First posted
- 4 Nov 1999 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a study investigating the hormones and substances important to the stress response. The hormone that is most directly responsible for stress response is called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and causes the pituitary gland to produce another hormone called ACTH. The hormone ACTH then acts on the adrenal glands causing them to produce the hormone cortisol.
Unfortunately, CRH levels are unable to be measured in simple blood samples. However, substances like cortisol and leptin can provide information as to the activity of the hypothalamus.
The hormone leptin is associated with the regulation of body weight and the normal maintenance of bodily functions (homeostasis). It is found in fat cell (adipocyes) and communicates the nutritional status of the body to the brain (central nervous system). Research using animals has shown that defects in the communication between leptin and the brain causes obesity (the state of being overweight). It has also been noted that obese humans tend to have high levels of leptin.
By studying patients with abnormal genes responsible for leptin production, researchers have found that a least one leptin gene must be intact for the normal secretion of hormones to proceed. These results show that the hormone leptin is produced outside of the brain in fat cells and acts directly on the function of the hypothalamus within the brain. Researchers believe that leptin plays a key role in the normal release of hormones from the HPA axis.
Researchers intend on continuing to study the role of leptin in fat distribution, and the activity of the HPA axis in normal volunteers. In addition, this study will focus on the role of leptin in depression, because depression is characterized by changes in food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine function. Data gathered from this study will provide a better understanding of the causes and medical consequences of major depression.
Detailed description
Our group has tested the hypothesis that the molecules involved in the neurobiology of the stress response are key elements in the pathophysiology, treatment, and medical consequences of major depressive disorder. Leptin is implicated in the regulation of adipose tissue, body weight and homeostasis. In the first three years of this protocol we accomplished the following: (1) discovered leptin pulsatility; (2) showed that is secreted in a highly organized manner in men and women; (3) showed for the first time in humans an inverse relation between rapid fluctuations in plasma leptin concentrations in healthy volunteers and those of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol; (4) demonstrated a complex relation between the minute-to-minute dynamics of leptin and those of luteinizing hormone and estradiol; (5) showed a striking correlation between the 24-h dynamics of leptin and those of TSH and GH; (6) demonstrated highly significant correlation between hourly fluctuations of leptin levels and those of psychometric variables such as sadness, social withdrawal, and carbohydrate craving, and (7) showed that women produce twice as much leptin per secretory event than men. By studying patients with a leptin gene mutation we showed that at least one intact copy of the leptin gene is required for the regulation of TSH function and GH architecture in humans. These results indicate that leptin, a peripherally secreted molecule, appears to modulate the secretion of hypothalamic hormones. We have therefore proposed that hypothalamic neuroendocrine transduction, a key function of the CNS, may be regulated by leptin, a peripheral pulsatile signal of nutritional status. We would like to continue and expand our studies on the interactions of leptin, fat distribution, and the pituitary-adrenal axis in normal volunteers and also in patients with depression, because depression is characterized by alterations in food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine function. Leptin profoundly affects the regulation of these three parameters. Leptin also increases insulin resistance, being therefore a risk factor for coronary artery disease, which is more prevalent and associated with higher mortality in depressed patients than in the general population. The data to be generated by this study will provide a better understanding of pathophysiology and medical consequences of major depression.
Study design
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Not reported in the source record.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Mar 2008.
- Background: PubMed 2549150Behan DP, Linton EA, Lowry PJ. Isolation of the human plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor-binding protein. J Endocrinol. 1989 Jul;122(1):23-31. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1220023.
- Background: PubMed 3494036Campbell EA, Linton EA, Wolfe CD, Scraggs PR, Jones MT, Lowry PJ. Plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone concentrations during pregnancy and parturition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 May;64(5):1054-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-64-5-1054.
- Background: PubMed 3292920Gold PW, Goodwin FK, Chrousos GP. Clinical and biochemical manifestations of depression. Relation to the neurobiology of stress (1). N Engl J Med. 1988 Aug 11;319(6):348-53. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198808113190606. No abstract available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Healthy and Involutional Depression, run by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Mar 2008. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00001543, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Mar 2008; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.