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PhytoSERM to Prevent Menopause Associated Decline in Brain Metabolism and Cognition

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Menopause
Cognitive Change
Brain Disorder, Metabolic
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: PhytoSERM
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT05664477
Lead Sponsor
Roberta Brinton
Brief Summary

This is a proof-of-concept phase 2 clinical trial to investigate the safety and effect of the phytoestrogenic supplement PhytoSERM on regional brain metabolism by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) in peri- and postmenopausal women. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a significant difference between the PhytoSERM group and placebo group in glucose brain metabolism.

Detailed Description

This is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel designed, proof-of-concept phase 2 clinical trial to determine effect of PhytoSERM in regional brain metabolism, cognition and vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. PhytoSERM or placebo pills will be administered orally once a week over 24 weeks. Safety and tolerability will also be assessed over the duration of the study.

To determine eligibility, all participants will undergo cognitive assessment, physical and neurological examination, imaging scans, electrocardiogram (ECG), clinical/safety laboratory assessment, and interviews. After a 2-4-week screening period, participants will be randomized to study intervention (PhytoSERM 50mg administered orally, once per day) or matching placebo, in a 1:1 allocation. Brain imaging to evaluate the primary endpoint (standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) by FDG-PET) will be conducted at screening and 24 weeks (6 months). Study participants will be asked to complete a total of 7 study visits. All participants will be enrolled at a single site, at the Alzheimer's Prevention Program (APP) at Weill Cornell Medical Centre (WCMC, New York).

This study protocol will include an embedded single-dose, 24-hour pharmacokinetic (PK) study in a subset of 12 participants which will begin after the first dose of the study intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Peri- or postmenopausal women with the latter defined as last menstrual period (LMP) completed ≥ 60 days and ≤ 4 years, per the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) criteria.
  2. Age 45-60 years.
  3. Presence of hot flashes ≥ 7 per day.
  4. In good general health as evidenced by medical history.
  5. Clinical laboratory values must be within normal limits or, if abnormal, must be judged to be not clinically significant by the investigator.
  6. No medical contraindications to study participation.
  7. Stable medications for 4 weeks prior to the baseline visits.
  8. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form.
  9. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
  10. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the PhytoSERM regimen.
  11. For females of reproductive potential: Negative pregnancy test and use of highly effective contraception by male partner for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation.
  12. Fluent in English or Spanish.
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Known allergies to isoflavones or soy-based products.
  2. Evidence of cognitive impairment on the Mini-Mental State Examination (total score < 27).
  3. Pregnancy
  4. Use of estrogen or progestin compounds within 8 weeks of baseline.
  5. Use of investigational agent within 12 weeks of baseline.
  6. Concurrent neurologic, systemic, or psychiatric disease that would influence cognition or ability to provide informed consent and to participate.
  7. Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, active neoplastic disease, history of breast cancer, or at risk of developing breast cancer, endometrial hyperplasia.
  8. History of epilepsy, focal brain lesion, head injury with loss of consciousness or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) criteria for any major psychiatric disorder including psychosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse.
  9. Thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA).
  10. Current use of tobacco or a history of alcohol abuse.
  11. Use of drugs, herbs, or dietary supplements to treat menopausal or cognitive symptoms less than 8 weeks prior to baseline.
  12. Evidence of any significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding.
  13. Known allergy to soy-derived products/ proteins or branded over the counter products; hypersensitivity to estrogens or progestins.
  14. Visual and auditory acuity inadequate for neuropsychological testing
  15. Inability to undergo MRI scans
  16. Inability to undergo PET scans

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PhytoSERM groupPhytoSERMPhytoSERM 50mg tablet composed of the phytoestrogens daidzein, genistein and S-equol, administered orally every day for 24 weeks.
Placebo groupPlaceboPlacebo product with identical shape, size and color with absence of daidzein, genistein, and S-equol. Administered orally every day for 24 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) by 18F-FDG PETBaseline to 24 weeks

Regional brain glucose metabolism SUVR

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Picture Sequence Memory TestBaseline to 24 weeks

Maximum raw score of 48 for ages 20-60 years. More is better.

Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) ScoreBaseline to 24 weeks

The total score of the MRS ranges between 0 (asymptomatic) and 44 (highest degree of complaints).

Positive and Negative Affect ScaleBaseline to 24 weeks

Positive and negative affect items are summed separately and range from 0 to 50 with higher scores indicating higher positive affect and higher negative affect respectively.

Beck Depression Inventory - IIBaseline to 24 weeks

Maximum score is 63. Higher scores represent greater depressive symptoms.

Pharmacokinetics: Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)Baseline

The highest concentration of each phytoestrogen in the blood after a dose is given.

Pharmacokinetics: Half-life (t1/2)Baseline

The time required for plasma concentration of phytoSERMs to decrease by 50%

Pharmacokinetics: Area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC)Baseline

The concentration of phytoSERMs in blood plasma as a function of time. Gives insight into the extent of exposure to phytoSERM and its clearance rate from the body.

Trail Making Test (TMT)Baseline to 24 weeks

The TMT is scored by how long it takes to complete the test. For TMT-B, an average score is 75 seconds, and a deficient score is greater than 273 seconds. Less is better.

Auditory Verbal Learning TestBaseline to 24 weeks

The Rey is scored by taking the sum of the number of words recalled across all trials (possible range is 0-45 words).

List Sorting Working Memory TestBaseline to 24 weeks

Test scores consisted of combined total items correct on the one- and two-list versions of the task (maximum 28). The raw sum score is then transformed to a standardized t-metric. More is better.

Oral Symbol Digit TestBaseline to 24 weeks

The Oral Symbol Digit Test is scored as the number of items answered correctly in 120 seconds (possible range is 0-144).

Hot flash Frequency CompositeBaseline to 24 weeks

Hot flash frequency and severity scores. Less is better.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexBaseline to 24 weeks

A global sum of "5" or greater indicates a "poor" sleeper.

Pharmacokinetics: Time of peak concentration (tmax)Baseline

Time required to achieve peak plasma levels.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Alzheimer's Prevention Program / Weill Cornell Medicine

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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