Hippocampal Complex Volume and Memory Dysfunction in Cushing's Syndrome

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00004326

199/11872

UMMC-1043

Details and patient eligibility

About

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate whether chronic hypercortisolemia is specifically toxic to hippocampal cells and causes structural reduction of hippocampal volume in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

II. Determine whether reduced hippocampal volume is associated with specific memory dysfunction.

III. Examine the relationships of adrenal androgen to hippocampal volume and memory dysfunction.

IV. Examine the reversibility of hippocampal structural changes and cognitive dysfunction after cortisol levels are normalized.

Full description

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: Patients undergo a psychiatric evaluation for mood and cognition during confirmation of diagnosis. Neuropsychologic exams include pencil and paper test and a cognitive assessment.

Endocrine studies include dexamethasone and corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation tests. The hippocampal complex volume is assessed with coronal magnetic resonance imaging.

There is a follow-up 1 year after the initiation of treatment.

Sex: All

Ages: 15 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

• Adults and teenagers with untreated, spontaneous active Cushing's syndrome
• Diagnosis verified at the University of Michigan Medical Center, including the following: Excessive cortisol secretion measured by urinary-free cortisol, cortisol secretion rate, and plasma cortisol level
• Lack of normal circadian cortisol secretion and failure to suppress following 2 mg of dexamethasone