Effects of Estrogen on Memory in Post-Menopausal Women and Patients With Alzheimer's Disease
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00006399 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : August 21, 2000
Last Update Posted : January 15, 2009
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer Disease | Drug: Donepezil Drug: Estrogen Drug: Progesterone | Phase 2 |
Estrogen (EST) may have significant benefits in preserving cognitive functioning in normal aging after menopause and in decreasing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). On a molecular level, EST has effects on a variety of cholinergic neuronal and receptor-mediated mechanisms that may be responsible for these beneficial effects. These neurons have critical relevance for the development of age-related cognitive changes and dementing disorders. However, little is known about the clinical relevance of EST-cholinergic interactions, either in normal aging or in AD.
The primary goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that three months of administration of EST to 1) normal post-menopausal women, and 2) female patients with mild-moderate AD who are concurrently treated with anticholinesterase therapy (donepezil), will positively change or blunt the negative and behavioral effects of drugs that block central cholinergic receptors (both muscarinic and nicotinic). Participants will be blindly placed on EST or placebo for three months each. After each three month period, they will be cognitively assessed after receiving single doses of the cholinergic antagonists scopolamine and mecamylamine. These results will have direct implications for the use of EST in post-menopausal women as well as interactive treatment with cholinergic drugs for AD. Researchers plan to recruit a total of 45 women (30 healthy, and 15 patients with AD).
NOTE: This study is only recruiting participants with Alzheimer's Disease at this time.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Enrollment : | 45 participants |
Masking: | Double |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Estrogen Modulation Effects on Cholinergic Function in Normal Post-Menopausal Women and Patients With Alzheimer's Disease |
Study Start Date : | September 1999 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 2004 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | March 2004 |


Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 45 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Normal volunteers and women with mild Alzheimer's disease:
- Non-smoker
- No use of Hormone Replacement Therapy for at least one year
- No menses for at least one year
- Normal mammogram within the last year
- minimum age is 45 for patients with Alzheimer's disease; 50 for normal volunteers
- Maximum age is 85 for patients with Alzheimer's disease; there is no maximum age for normal volunteers.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Women who are currently taking estrogen therapy.
- Women who are smokers.
- Women who have had breast cancer.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00006399
United States, Vermont | |
Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Vermont | |
Burlington, Vermont, United States, 05401 |
Principal Investigator: | Paul A. Newhouse, M.D. | Memory Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | Paul A. Newhouse, M.D, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00006399 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
IA0023 2R56AG021476 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract ) |
First Posted: | August 21, 2000 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | January 15, 2009 |
Last Verified: | January 2009 |
Alzheimer disease Estrogen therapy Post-menopausal women |
Alzheimer Disease Dementia Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Tauopathies Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Mental Disorders Donepezil Progesterone |
Estrogens Progestins Hormones Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Physiological Effects of Drugs Cholinesterase Inhibitors Enzyme Inhibitors Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Cholinergic Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Nootropic Agents |