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.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Depressive Disorder Mood Disorder	Drug: Dehydroepiandrosterone	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  60

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland in concentrations that decrease with age. In humans low DHEA levels have been associated with a variety of adverse biological consequences, including increased cardiovascular disease, decreased immune function, decreased bone density, negative lipid profile and an increased fat to muscle ratio.

In this study, we investigate the effects on mood and behavior of DHEA in men and women with midlife-related mood disorders in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. We specifically ask whether increasing DHEA levels will mitigate any or all of the neurasthenia-like symptoms characteristic of these disorders.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Subjects for this study will meet the following criteria:
A current episode of minor (meeting 3-4 criterion symptoms) or major depression of moderate severity or less on the SCID severity scale for depression and not meeting DSM-IV criteria symptom #9 (suicide) as determined by the administration of the minor depression module of the SADS-L and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Additionally, to ensure that subjects meet a minimum threshold for severity of depression, subjects will have scores greater than or equal to 10 on either the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression (CES-D) Scale during at least three of the four clinic visits during the two month screening phase. Subjects will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria: major depression of greater than moderate severity, DSM-IV criteria #9 (suicide), or anyone requiring immediate treatment after clinical assessment, functional impairment ratings of five or six for more than seven consecutive days on daily ratings;
Age 40-65;
No prior hormonal therapy for the treatment of menopause/andropause-related mood or physical symptoms within the last six months;
In good medical health.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
The following conditions will constitute contradictions to treatment with DHEA and will preclude a subject's participation in this protocol:
Positive (threshold) response to SCID major depression section item #9, suicidal ideation;
Anyone requiring immediate treatment after clinical assessment;
Severity ratings greater than moderate on the SCID;
Functional impairment ratings of five or six for more than seven consecutive days on daily ratings
Current treatment with antidepressant medications
Prostate nodules or cancer
Moderate symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy such as hesitancy, urgency, frequent voiding and feeling of incomplete voiding
History of ischemic cardiac disease
Renal disease
Hepatic dysfunction
Women with a history of carcinoma of the breast, or any women with a family history of the following: premenopausal breast cancer or bilateral breast cancer in a first degree relative; multiple family members (greater than three relatives) with postmenopausal breast cancer
Women with a history of uterine cancer
Patients with a known hypersensitivity to DHEA or other androgens
Pregnant women

Maryland
      National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States

Study ID Numbers:  950151; 95-M-0151
Record last reviewed:  April 14, 2004
Last Updated:  April 14, 2004
Record first received:  November 3, 1999
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00001487
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08