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Effects of the pattern of glucocorticoid replacement on neural processing, emotional reactivity and well-being in healthy male individuals: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Citation
Kalafatakis, K and Russell, GM and Harmer, CJ and Munafo, MR and Marchant, N and Wilson, A and Brooks, JCW and Thai, NJ and Ferguson, SG and Stevenson, K and Durant, C and Schmidt, K and Lightman, SL, Effects of the pattern of glucocorticoid replacement on neural processing, emotional reactivity and well-being in healthy male individuals: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial, Trials, 17, (1) pp. 1-17. ISSN 1745-6215 (2016) [Contribution to Refereed Journal]
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DOI: doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1159-x
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deviation from the physiological glucocorticoid dynamics (circadian and underlying ultradian rhythmicity) is a common characteristic of various neuropsychiatric and endocrine disorders as well as glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. These states may be accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptomatology, suggesting continuous dynamic glucocorticoid equilibrium is essential for brain homeostasis.
METHODS/DESIGN: The study consists of two parts. The preliminary stage of the study aims to validate (technically and pharmacologically) and optimise three different patterns of systemic cortisol administration in man. These patterns are based on the combinatory administration of metyrapone, to suppress endogenous cortisol production, and concurrent hydrocortisone replacement. The second, subsequent, core part of the study is a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, where participants (healthy male individuals aged 18-60 years) will undergo all three hydrocortisone replacement schemes. During these infusion regimes, we plan a number of neurobehavioural tests and imaging of the brain to assess neural processing, emotional reactivity and perception, mood and self-perceived well-being. The psychological tests include: ecological momentary assessment, P1vital Oxford Emotional Test Battery and Emotional Potentiated Startle Test, Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and the visual working memory task (n-back). The neuroimaging protocol combines magnetic resonance sequences that capture data related to the functional and perfusion status of the brain.
DISCUSSION: Results of this clinical trial are designed to evaluate the impact (with possible mechanistic insights) of different patterns of daily glucocorticoid dynamics on neural processing and reactivity related to emotional perception and mood. This evidence should contribute to the optimisation of the clinical application of glucocorticoid-based therapeutics.
Item Details
Item Type: | Contribution to Refereed Journal |
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Keywords: | glucocorticoid, glucocorticoid replacement |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Public health |
Research Field: | Preventative health care |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Ferguson, SG (Professor Stuart Ferguson) |
ID Code: | 106338 |
Year Published: | 2016 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | Medicine |
Deposited On: | 2016-02-05 |
Last Modified: | 2016-02-10 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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