Clinical Trial: Sex Steroids and the Serotonin Transporter

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: The Influence of Sex Steroid Hormones on Serotonin Transporter Binding in the Human Brain Investigated by Positron Emission Tomography

Brief Summary: The aim of this study is to prove the influence of the sex steroid hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone on the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) binding using positron emission tomography (PET) and the selective radioligand [11C]DASB. Specifically, the 5-HTT binding will be quantified before and after hormone therapy underwent by 10 male-to-female (MtF) and 10 female-to-male (FtM) transsexuals urging for hormone treatment. The high-level, long-term administration of opsite sex steroid hormones in transsexuals provide the unique opportunity to investigate the influence of sex steroid hormones on the serotonergic system. Since the serotonin transporter serves as a primary target molecule for antidepressant treatment, the results of the study will be of benefit for the assessment of the clinical relevance of estrogen and testosterone as modulatory and neuroactive agents.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna

Current Primary Outcome: change in serotonin-transporter binding potential (BP) in predefined brain regions, measured by Positron Emission Tomography [ Time Frame: 5 months ]

The serotonin-transporter BP will be assessed in a 90 min. dynamic PET measurement session at three timepoints: before start of hormonal therapy, after four weeks of hormonal therapy, and after 4 months of hormonal therapy


Original Primary Outcome: serotonin-transporter binding potential [ Time Frame: 18 months ]

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Medical University of Vienna

Dates:
Date Received: February 8, 2010
Date Started: February 2010
Date Completion:
Last Updated: January 2, 2014
Last Verified: January 2014