Trial Outcomes & Findings for Brain and Gut Plasticity in Mild TBI or Post-acute COVID Syndrome Following Growth Hormone Therapy (NCT NCT03554265)

Recruitment for mTBI and community control subjects began August 2018 and ended August 2022. Recruitment for PASC subjects began May 2021 and ended September 2022.

Brain and Gut Plasticity in Mild TBI or Post-acute COVID Syndrome Following Growth Hormone Therapy

Lean body mass will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects by GE Lunar iDEXA at baseline.

Lean body mass will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects by GE Lunar iDEXA after 6 months of growth hormone treatment.

Fat mass will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects by GE Lunar iDEXA at baseline.

Fat mass will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects by GE Lunar iDEXA after 6 months of growth hormone treatment.

Resting Energy Expenditure will be measured by capturing the expired breath of mTBI and PASC subjects while at rest with a metabolic cart over a 30 minute time period. Data will be reported as kilocalories/day.

Resting Energy Expenditure will be measured by capturing the expired breath of mTBI and PASC subjects while at rest with a metabolic cart over a 30 minute time period. Data will be reported as kilocalories/day. This will be measured after 6 months of growth hormone treatment in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be used to assess cognition at baseline in mTBI and PASC subjects only. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid assessment of cognition. The MoCA consists of 9 questions with the following subcategories: visuospatial/executive, naming, memory, language, abstraction, delayed recall and orientation. The MoCA has been used extensively to detect cognitive impairment in many conditions, including head trauma. Version 7.1 will be used at the Month 0 testing and Version 7.2 will be used at the Month 6 testing. Scores range from 0 to 30, higher score being a better outcome.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be used to assess cognition after 6 months of growth hormone treatment in mTBI and PASC subjects only. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid assessment of cognition. The MoCA consists of 9 questions with the following subcategories: visuospatial/executive, naming, memory, language, abstraction, delayed recall and orientation. The MoCA has been used extensively to detect cognitive impairment in many conditions, including head trauma. Version 7.1 will be used at the Month 0 testing and Version 7.2 will be used at the Month 6 testing. Scores range from 0 to 30, higher score being a better outcome.

The Brief Fatigue Inventory is a 9 item questionnaire that assesses perceptual fatigue as well as fatigue interferences (e.g. interference with enjoyment of life), with "0" being no fatigue and "10" being as bad as you can imagine. The Global Fatigue score is calculated by averaging the answers of all the questions. Brief Fatigue Inventory is measured in mTBI and PASC subjects at baseline.

The Brief Fatigue Inventory is a 9 item questionnaire that assesses perceptual fatigue as well as fatigue interferences (e.g. interference with enjoyment of life), with "0" being no fatigue and "10" being as bad as you can imagine. The Global Fatigue score is calculated by averaging the answers of all the questions. Brief Fatigue Inventory is measured in mTBI and PASC subjects after 6 months of growth hormone treatment.

The Brief Fatigue Inventory is a 9 item questionnaire that assesses perceptual fatigue as well as fatigue interferences (e.g. interference with enjoyment of life), with "0" being no fatigue and "10" being as bad as you can imagine. The Global Fatigue score is calculated by averaging the answers of all the questions. Brief Fatigue Inventory is measured in PASC subjects after 9 months of growth hormone treatment.

The Brief Fatigue Inventory is a 9 item questionnaire that assesses perceptual fatigue as well as fatigue interferences (e.g. interference with enjoyment of life), with "0" being no fatigue and "10" being as bad as you can imagine. The Global Fatigue score is calculated by averaging the answers of all the questions. Brief Fatigue Inventory is measured in PASC subjects after 9 months of growth hormone treatment and 3 months off treatment (total time: 12 months).

Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory Short Form (MFSI-SF) from the Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida The MFSI-SF is a 30 question assessment designed to assess the principal manifestations of fatigue. There 5 subscales used to calculate a total score. The subscales are: General Fatigue, Physical Fatigue, Emotional Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, and Vigor (an estimate of the patient's energy level). The total score is calculated with the equation: (general + physical + emotional + mental) - vigor = total score. The range of the total score is -24 to 96, with the higher the number meaning more fatigue. The MFSI is measured at baseline.

Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory Short Form (MFSI-SF) from the Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida The MFSI-SF is a 30 question assessment designed to assess the principal manifestations of fatigue. There 5 subscales used to calculate a total score. The subscales are: General Fatigue, Physical Fatigue, Emotional Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, and Vigor (an estimate of the patient's energy level). The total score is calculated with the equation: (general + physical + emotional + mental) - vigor = total score. The range of the total score is -24 to 96, with the higher the number meaning more fatigue. The MFSI is measured after 6 months of growth hormone treatment.

Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory Short Form (MFSI-SF) from the Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida The MFSI-SF is a 30 question assessment designed to assess the principal manifestations of fatigue. There 5 subscales used to calculate a total score. The subscales are: General Fatigue, Physical Fatigue, Emotional Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, and Vigor (an estimate of the patient's energy level). The total score is calculated with the equation: (general + physical + emotional + mental) - vigor = total score. The range of the total score is -24 to 96, with the higher the number meaning more fatigue. The MFSI is measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment in PASC subjects only.

Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory Short Form (MFSI-SF) from the Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida The MFSI-SF is a 30 question assessment designed to assess the principal manifestations of fatigue. There 5 subscales used to calculate a total score. The subscales are: General Fatigue, Physical Fatigue, Emotional Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, and Vigor (an estimate of the patient's energy level). The total score is calculated with the equation: (general + physical + emotional + mental) - vigor = total score. The range of the total score is -24 to 96, with the higher the number meaning more fatigue. The MFSI is measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment and then 3 months without treatment (total 12 months) in PASC subjects only.

The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific 15-item questionnaire. Subjects are asked to numerically score their subjective symptoms on a scale of 1-7 (1 = no discomfort at all; 7 = very severe discomfort) . The average of the scores for all 15 items is regarded as the GSRS total score. Total scores range from 1 (best outcome) to 75 (worst outcome). GSRS will be measured monthly at baseline mTBI, PASC and control subjects.

The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific 15-item questionnaire. Subjects are asked to numerically score their subjective symptoms on a scale of 1-7 (1 = no discomfort at all; 7 = very severe discomfort) . The average of the scores for all 15 items is regarded as the GSRS total score. Total scores range from 1 (best outcome) to 7 (worst outcome). GSRS will be measured monthly in all subjects.

The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific 15-item questionnaire. Subjects are asked to numerically score their subjective symptoms on a scale of 1-7 (1 = no discomfort at all; 7 = very severe discomfort) . The average of the scores for all 15 items is regarded as the GSRS total score. Total scores range from 1 (best outcome) to 7 (worst outcome). GSRS will be measured in month 9 in PASC subjects only.

The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific 15-item questionnaire. Subjects are asked to numerically score their subjective symptoms on a scale of 1-7 (1 = no discomfort at all; 7 = very severe discomfort) . The average of the scores for all 15 items is regarded as the GSRS total score. Total scores range from 1 (best outcome) to 7 (worst outcome). GSRS will be measured in month 12 in PASC subjects only.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a questionnaire by MultiHealth Systems, that measures mood. In this 65 item questionnaire, subjects are asked to rate their feelings toward a statement from 0-4, with 0 being "not at all' and 4 being "extremely". There are 6 subscales which include, tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. To calculate the total mood disturbance, which is what is reported here, the subscales tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue and confusion are summed and vigor is subtracted. The scale range for total mood disturbance is 200 (worst) to -32 (best). POMS will be measured at baseline in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a questionnaire by MultiHealth Systems, that measures mood. In this 65 item questionnaire, subjects are asked to rate their feelings toward a statement from 0-4, with 0 being "not at all' and 4 being "extremely". There are 6 subscales which include, tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. To calculate the total mood disturbance, which is what is reported here, the subscales tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue and confusion are summed and vigor is subtracted. The scale range for total mood disturbance is 200 (worst) to -32 (best). POMS will be measured after 6 months of treatment with Growth hormone in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a questionnaire by MultiHealth Systems, that measures mood. In this 65 item questionnaire, subjects are asked to rate their feelings toward a statement from 0-4, with 0 being "not at all' and 4 being "extremely". There are 6 subscales which include, tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. To calculate the total mood disturbance, which is what is reported here, the subscales tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue and confusion are summed and vigor is subtracted. The scale range for total mood disturbance is 200 (worst) to -32 (best). POMS will be measured after 9 months of treatment with Growth hormone in PASC subjects only.

Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a questionnaire by MultiHealth Systems, that measures mood. In this 65 item questionnaire, subjects are asked to rate their feelings toward a statement from 0-4, with 0 being "not at all' and 4 being "extremely". There are 6 subscales which include, tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. To calculate the total mood disturbance, which is what is reported here, the subscales tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue and confusion are summed and vigor is subtracted. The scale range for total mood disturbance is 200 (worst) to -32 (best). POMS will be measured after 9 months of treatment with Growth hormone treatment and 3 months without treatment (total 12 months) in PASC subjects only.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1 month-time interval. Minimum Score = 0 (better); Maximum Score = 21 (worse). Interpretation: Total \< 5 associated with good sleep quality. Total \> 5 associated with poor sleep quality. PSQI will be measured at baseline in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1 month-time interval. Minimum Score = 0 (better); Maximum Score = 21 (worse). Interpretation: Total \< 5 associated with good sleep quality. Total \> 5 associated with poor sleep quality. PSQI will be measured after 6 months of treatment with growth hormone in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1 month-time interval. Minimum Score = 0 (better); Maximum Score = 21 (worse). Interpretation: Total \< 5 associated with good sleep quality. Total \> 5 associated with poor sleep quality. PSQI will be measured after 9 months of treatment with growth hormone in PASC subjects only.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1 month-time interval. Minimum Score = 0 (better); Maximum Score = 21 (worse). Interpretation: Total \< 5 associated with good sleep quality. Total \> 5 associated with poor sleep quality. PSQI will be measured after 9 months of treatment with growth hormone and 3 months without treatment (total 12 months) in PASC subjects only.

Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects using the Quality of Life - Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA). This 25-item questionnaire measures specific symptoms associated with growth hormone deficiency, with a score range of 0 to 25, with a higher score indicating worse symptoms. The QoL-ADGHA will be measured at baseline in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency will be measured in mTBI and PASC subjects using the Quality of Life - Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA). This 25-item questionnaire measures specific symptoms associated with growth hormone deficiency, with a score range of 0 to 25, with a higher score indicating worse symptoms. The QoL-ADGHA will be measured after 6 months of growth hormone treatment in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency will be measured in PASC subjects using the Quality of Life - Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA). This 25-item questionnaire measures specific symptoms associated with growth hormone deficiency, with a score range of 0 to 25, with a higher score indicating worse symptoms. The QoL-ADGHA will be measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment in PASC subjects only.

Symptoms of growth hormone deficiency will be measured in PASC subjects using the Quality of Life - Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA). This 25-item questionnaire measures specific symptoms associated with growth hormone deficiency, with a score range of 0 to 25, with a higher score indicating worse symptoms. The QoL-ADGHA will be measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment and then 3 months without treatment (total 12 months) in PASC subjects only.

The Beck Depression Inventory- II assesses depressive symptom severity. The BDI-II is comprised of 21 individual items reflecting specific cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms of depression. Each item includes four statements that vary in the description of symptom of severity. Scores range from 0 to 3, with a score of "3" indicating a severe symptoms and a score of "0" indicating an absence of concern with that particular aspect of depressive symptomology. The total score is the sum of all endorsed statements. The maximum total score is 63. The BDI-II Manual designates the following raw score classifications depression severity: ≤13 = minimal; 14-19 = mild; 20-28 = moderate; ≥ 29 = severe. The BDI will be measured at baseline in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

The Beck Depression Inventory- II assesses depressive symptom severity. The BDI-II is comprised of 21 individual items reflecting specific cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms of depression. Each item includes four statements that vary in the description of symptom of severity. Scores range from 0 to 3, with a score of "3" indicating a severe symptoms and a score of "0" indicating an absence of concern with that particular aspect of depressive symptomology. The total score is the sum of all endorsed statements. The maximum total score is 63. The BDI-II Manual designates the following raw score classifications depression severity: ≤13 = minimal; 14-19 = mild; 20-28 = moderate; ≥ 29 = severe. The BDI will be measured after 6 months of growth hormone treatment in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

The Beck Depression Inventory- II assesses depressive symptom severity. The BDI-II is comprised of 21 individual items reflecting specific cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms of depression. Each item includes four statements that vary in the description of symptom of severity. Scores range from 0 to 3, with a score of "3" indicating a severe symptoms and a score of "0" indicating an absence of concern with that particular aspect of depressive symptomology. The total score is the sum of all endorsed statements. The maximum total score is 63. The BDI-II Manual designates the following raw score classifications depression severity: ≤13 = minimal; 14-19 = mild; 20-28 = moderate; ≥ 29 = severe. The BDI will be measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment in PASC subjects only.

The Beck Depression Inventory- II assesses depressive symptom severity. The BDI-II is comprised of 21 individual items reflecting specific cognitive, affective, and physical symptoms of depression. Each item includes four statements that vary in the description of symptom of severity. Scores range from 0 to 3, with a score of "3" indicating a severe symptoms and a score of "0" indicating an absence of concern with that particular aspect of depressive symptomology. The total score is the sum of all endorsed statements. The maximum total score is 63. The BDI-II Manual designates the following raw score classifications depression severity: ≤13 = minimal; 14-19 = mild; 20-28 = moderate; ≥ 29 = severe. The BDI will be measured after 9 months of growth hormone treatment and 3 months without treatment (total 12 months) in PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at baseline. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at month 6. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at baseline. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at month 6. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at baseline. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.

Walking performance will be assessed in mTBI and PASC patients during 6 minutes of walking in long corridor hallways. This is a standard test of walking performance that has been validated in similar studies. Here, the test will be slightly modified, with subjects asked to walk at a 25% perceived effort from minute 0 - 2, at a 50% perceived effort from minute 2 - 4, and at a 100% effort (as quickly as they can safely walk without running) from minute 4 -6. Distance traveled for each 2-minute category will be recorded. The 6-minute walking test will be completed at month 6. Measured in mTBI and PASC subjects only.