Effects of Ghrelin on the Sleep-EEG and Nocturnal Secretion of Hormones

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2007-10-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Ghrelin, an acylated peptide consisting of 28 amino acids, is the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). It is synthesized predominantly in the stomach but has been also identified in a variety of other organs. Alike, a wide range of central and peripheral endocrine and non-endocrine actions has been described, e. g. being a releasing factor of growth hormone, prolactin and ACTH, a modulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis, a regulator of sleep-wake regulation, and a orexigenic hormone. Aims of this study are:

A) To determine the effect of exogenous ghrelin on sleep-EEG variables and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, the gonadotropic axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in healthy subjects of both genders (age groups: 20-30, 35-45, 60-70 years).

B) To determine the effect of exogenous ghrelin on sleep-EEG variables and hormones of the HPA axis, the gonadotropic axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in patients with major depression (age range: 20-65 years).

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry
• Collaborator: German Research Foundation
• Treatments: Hormones

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy females and males

• Male and female patients with major depression

Exclusion Criteria:

• Life time or family history of psychiatric or neurological disorders

• Sleep disturbances

• Shift work

• Any current disease

• Any medication

• Long distance flight within 3 months prior to study entry

• Smoking

• Any medication during the week prior to study entry

• Any current disease other than major depression