Dynamics of Leptin and Endocrine Function
This is a study investigating the hormones and substances important to the stress response. The hormone that is most directly responsible for stress response is called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and causes the pituitary gland to produce another hormone called ACTH. The hormone ACTH then acts on the adrenal glands causing them to produce the hormone cortisol.
Unfortunately, CRH levels are unable to be measured in simple blood samples. However, substances like cortisol and leptin can provide information as to the activity of the hypothalamus.
The hormone leptin is associated with the regulation of body weight and the normal maintenance of bodily functions (homeostasis). It is found in fat cell (adipocyes) and communicates the nutritional status of the body to the brain (central nervous system). Research using animals has shown that defects in the communication between leptin and the brain causes obesity (the state of being overweight). It has also been noted that obese humans tend to have high levels of leptin.
By studying patients with abnormal genes responsible for leptin production, researchers have found that a least one leptin gene must be intact for the normal secretion of hormones to proceed. These results show that the hormone leptin is produced outside of the brain in fat cells and acts directly on the function of the hypothalamus within the brain. Researchers believe that leptin plays a key role in the normal release of hormones from the HPA axis.
Researchers intend on continuing to study the role of leptin in fat distribution, and the activity of the HPA axis in normal volunteers. In addition, this study will focus on the role of leptin in depression, because depression is characterized by changes in food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine function. Data gathered from this study will provide a better understanding of the causes and medical consequences of major depression.
調査の概要
詳細な説明
研究の種類
入学
連絡先と場所
研究場所
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Maryland
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Bethesda、Maryland、アメリカ、20892
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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参加基準
適格基準
就学可能な年齢
- 子
- 大人
- 高齢者
健康ボランティアの受け入れ
受講資格のある性別
説明
Depressed patients must have a history of past major depression of at least four months duration, or a history of two or more briefer episodes. Must be overweight.
Must not need a hospital admission as part of their treatment.
Overweight normal volunteers.
No subjects on chronic medication which cannot be washed out for one month.
No subjects with any serious medical illness.
No women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or sexually active and not using effective contraception.
No patients with HIV infection.
No subjects who cannot discontinue use of alcohol/tobacco.
研究計画
研究はどのように設計されていますか?
協力者と研究者
出版物と役立つリンク
一般刊行物
- Behan DP, Linton EA, Lowry PJ. Isolation of the human plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor-binding protein. J Endocrinol. 1989 Jul;122(1):23-31. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1220023.
- Campbell EA, Linton EA, Wolfe CD, Scraggs PR, Jones MT, Lowry PJ. Plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone concentrations during pregnancy and parturition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 May;64(5):1054-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-64-5-1054.
- Gold PW, Goodwin FK, Chrousos GP. Clinical and biochemical manifestations of depression. Relation to the neurobiology of stress (1). N Engl J Med. 1988 Aug 11;319(6):348-53. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198808113190606. No abstract available.
研究記録日
主要日程の研究
研究開始
研究の完了
試験登録日
最初に提出
QC基準を満たした最初の提出物
最初の投稿 (見積もり)
学習記録の更新
投稿された最後の更新 (見積もり)
QC基準を満たした最後の更新が送信されました
最終確認日
詳しくは
本研究に関する用語
キーワード
その他の研究ID番号
- 960048
- 96-M-0048
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