The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled in the past four decades affecting one in every five adolescent girls and is disproportionally higher among racial and/or ethnic minorities. Normal puberty onset and progression is dependent on normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis which is affected by whole body metabolism. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropins, LH and FSH, are released in a pulsatile manner for appropriate sex steroids production and gonadal function. Proper pulsatility in the GnRH system is disrupted by a significant change in energy balance such as in obesity. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common neuroendocrine dysfunction in women of reproductive age. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GL-1), a peptide hormone secreted by the intestinal enteroendocrine L-cells following glucose and fat intake, stimulates insulin release by the pancreas in response to glucose, decreases gastric emptying and inhibits glucagon secretion. GLP-1 receptors are present in the hypothalamic nuclei and pituitary gland; and it is thought that GLP-1 may directly stimulate GnRH secretion and partially regulate reproduction. In animal studies, GLP-1 was found to stimulate GnRH secretion, to regulate kisspeptin (Kiss-1) mRNA and GnRH mRAN expression. GLP-1 receptor agonists are FDA-approved to treat adults and adolescents with obesity. Although the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists in reproductive health has been investigated in preclinical trials, and in men with obesity and functional hypogonadism, no studies to date have investigated the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists in female neuroendocrine function, particularly in youth. The goal of this proposal is to gather critical preliminary data to investigate, in a group of obese adolescent females with PCOS, the impact of GLP-1 agonist administration in addition to lifestyle modifications on the neuroendocrine rhythms - LH frequency and amplitude (principal); body composition, adiposity; and carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity. To accomplish these aims, we will recruit a cohort of up to 20 adolescents ages 12-18 years, at least 2 years post-menarche, with obesity, PCOS, by NIH criteria, without carbohydrate intolerance and in otherwise good health. Research volunteers will be advised on lifestyle modifications of diet and exercise as per routine, and a GLP-1 agonist will be started according to the product's label as per FDA guidelines in children with obesity. Medication will be titrated to maximal therapeutic dose, as per routine clinical practice. Participants will be treated for a total of 16 weeks. Neuroendocrine rhythms pre- and post-treatment will be compared.
Many studies have consistently shown that females across sports under consume carbohydrate. Registered dietitians working with athletes have also reported female athletes chronically under consume carbohydrate. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of education versus education plus interpreted individual metabolic (exercise) testing results to change attitudes and beliefs of female athletes regarding carbohydrate intake. The secondary objective is to assess the effectiveness of the education alone on attitudes and beliefs towards consuming carbohydrate in female athletes. The study hypothesis is that education alone will not significantly impact attitudes and beliefs, and that metabolic testing and the interpretation of the individual results will alter attitudes and beliefs toward carbohydrate intake.
This study is a double blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial of study subjects with PCOS and low vitamin D to 2 groups- placebo and vitamin D replacement. Participants and investigators will be blinded to treatment modality until the end of the trial period
This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of using nitrous oxide (N2O) sedation for intrauterine device (IUD) insertions for nulliparous adolescent and young adult women in a primary care clinic setting.
This project is designed to 1) develop a PrEP implementation plan for a general adolescent clinic. Investigators will develop a replicable implementation plan for providing PrEP to adolescents in a primary care setting; and 2) Determine the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a telehealth intervention to promote adherence in adolescents.
This is a multi-center study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of brexanolone in the treatment of adolescent female participants with postpartum depression (PPD).
This study aims to use a text messaging intervention to prevent unintended teen pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted disease. The study will be informed by a formative qualitative phase (February 2014 - January 2015) which will include individual qualitative interviews and focus groups with teens to elucidate and explore the barriers to effective contraceptive use and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and to obtain feedback on the developed intervention. The second efficacy phase will randomize subjects to the texting intervention or to usual care.
This is a Phase 1, multicenter, open-label, single-dose study to evaluate the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of NBI-77860 in subjects with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The study will be conducted in approximately 15 adolescent females (12-18 years of age) with a documented medical diagnosis of classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH. The study will include three independent dose cohorts of NBI-77860 (approximately 5 subjects per dose cohort). Ascending doses will be evaluated as part of a sequential-cohort design.
The purpose of this trial is to assess the safety and acceptability of Tenofovir (TFV) 1% gel in adolescent females over 12 weeks of a minimum of twice weekly dosing following the BAT24 regimen.
The primary hypothesis is that compared to placebo, 10g of daily creatine monohydrate for eight weeks will be associated with significant increases in frontal lobe phosphocreatine and beta-nucleoside triphosphate (β-NTP) concentrations. A secondary hypothesis is that decreased depressive symptoms measured with the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) will be reciprocally correlated with increased β-NTP concentrations.