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The Effect of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone on Cognitive Function in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Interventions
Drug: Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)
Drug: Placebo Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
Registration Number
NCT02553603
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Brief Summary

This study is examining the effects of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). GHRH will be given at a dose of 1mg/day for 10 weeks to subjects with MCI as well as healthy controls.

Detailed Description

Subjects with MCI as well as healthy controls will be given GHRH at a dose of 1mg/day for 10 weeks.

This study is designed to investigate the effects of GHRH on the following things: 1) cognitive function as measured by our neuropsychologist with a series of short tests; 2) brain activity as measured by fMRI 3) lean and fat mass of your body as measured by DEXA; 4) physical function as measured by a walking test.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
22
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥ 55 to ≤ 85 years
  • Ability to sign consent form (score ≥ on the Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE)
  • MCI group: MMSE scores of 23 - 26
  • Normal Control Group: MMSE scores of 27 - 30
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diabetes
  • A neurologic condition other than MCI which might cause cognitive impairment
  • Baseline serum IGF-1 concentration greater than the midrange for healthy young adults (300ng/ml)
  • Presence of a pacemaker or metal implant
  • Heart Failure
  • Edema
  • Active malignancy
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Disruption of the hypothalamic pituitary axis such that the pituitary is expected to be insensitive to growth hormone secretagogues such as GHRH
  • Known allergy to tesamorelin or mannitol
  • Pregnancy
  • Significant heart, liver, kidney, blood or respiratory disease
  • Active cancer
  • Recent (within 6 months) treatment with anabolic steroids, GHRH or corticosteroids
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • MMSE < 23
  • Less than 12 years of education
  • Significant findings on screening tests, including but not limited to, blood counts, blood biochemistries, urinalysis, drug screening, HIV test, hepatitis panel, electrocardiogram
  • Other medical conditions deemed exclusionary by the study investigators

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Non-cognitively impaired, GHRHGrowth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)Subjects aged 55 - 85 years, scored between 27-30 on screening Mini Mental Status Exam, receiving active Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).
Mild Cognitive Impairment, GHRHGrowth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH)Subjects aged 55 - 85 years, scored between 23- 26 on screening Mini Mental Status Exam, receiving active Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).
Mild Cognitive Impairment, PlaceboPlacebo Growth Hormone Releasing HormoneSubjects aged 55 - 85 years, scored between 23- 26 on screening Mini Mental Status Exam, receiving placebo Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).
Non-cognitively impaired, PlaceboPlacebo Growth Hormone Releasing HormoneSubjects aged 55- 85 years, scored between 27-30 on screening Mini Mental Status Exam, receiving placebo Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cognitive Function measured by SLUMS10 weeks

Cognitive function at 10 weeks measured by the St Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS)

Brain Perfusion measured by fMRI10 weeks

Brain Perfusion at 10 week measured by MRI

Brain Morphology measured by MRI10 weeks

Brain Morphology at 10 weeks measured by MRI

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Body composition measured by DEXA10 weeks

Body composition at 10 weeks measured by DEXA

Physical Function measured by 6 minute walking test10 weeks

Physical Function at 10 weeks measured by 6 minute walking test

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Texas Medical Branch

🇺🇸

Galveston, Texas, United States

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