Treatment of Mid-Life-Related Mood Disorders

NCT00001487 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2008-03-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland. As humans grow older the levels of DHEA naturally decrease. Low levels of DHEA have been associated with a variety of harmful effects, including increased heart disease, decreased immune system function, decreased bone density (osteoporosis), high cholesterol, and increased fat to muscle ratio.

Blood levels of DHEA and its sulfate form, DHEA-S, begin dropping when humans are in their 20's. By the time humans are in their 40's and 50's, levels of DHEA and DHEA-S levels are at 50% of their peak. Previous studies have shown that levels of these hormones are associated with feelings of "well-being" and enjoyment of "leisure" activities.

In this study researchers are interested in the effects on mood and behavior of DHEA in men and women with mid-life related mood disorders. Specifically, researchers would like to find out if increasing levels of DHEA will lessen the symptoms associated with these disorders.

Conditions

  • Depressive Disorder
  • Mood Disorder

Interventions

DRUG

Dehydroepiandrosterone

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

    lead NIH

Study Design

Purpose
TREATMENT

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
1995-06-30
Completion
2004-04-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00001487 on ClinicalTrials.gov