Clinical Research Directory

Identifying Oxytocin Deficiency in Pediatric Patients With Pituitary Disease

An open-labeled, interventional pilot trial, 10 youth with AVP-D and 10 PD matched for age, sex, and BMI will be recruited from Pediatric Endocrinology and Neuroendocrinology at Massachusetts General Hospital and in the community. This study tests the hypothesis that oral estrogen/progestin will stimulate endogenous oxytocin release in control subjects. Eligible participants will receive two tablets in a single administration containing a total of 1 mg of norethindrone acetate 70 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. Sampling for blood and saliva will take place at baseline and approximately 24 hours following study drug administration. Neuropsychological assessment (anxiety, mood and emotion regulation; impulse control; aberrant eating behaviors; social cognition and functioning; quality of life) will be assessed at baseline to characterize the study population.

Copeptin Measurement After Mannitol and Hypertonic Saline for the Diagnosis of Polyuria-polydipsia Syndrome

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether a new test using mannitol infusion can diagnose the cause of polyuria-polydipsia syndrome as accurately as the current standard test (hypertonic saline infusion) and to compare which test patients prefer. The goal is to identify a simpler and more patient-friendly diagnostic approach.

Identifying Oxytocin Deficiency in Adults With Pituitary Disease

This is an open-label, pilot study, to characterize oxytocin response to a single dose of oral Estrogen-progestin in patients with arginine-vasopressin deficiency compared to healthy controls. The association between oxytocin levels and measures of psychopathology (i.e., anxiety and depression) and quality of life across groups will be examined. We hypothesize that: 1. Salivary and blood oxytocin response to Estrogen-progestin will be lower in arginine-vasopressin deficiency compared to healthy control. 2. Lower salivary and blood oxytocin levels will be associated with more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and social emotional difficulties as well as lower quality of life.

Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sexual Well-Being in Patients With Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Healthy Controls

The study aims to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin (OXT) improves sexual well-being in patients with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (AVP-D). The trial consists of two parts: Part A assesses the effect of OXT on sexual well-being and intimacy over a 7-day treatment period in participants in a stable partnership. Part B assesses the effect of a single dose OXT on sexual arousal, fear and empathy in a clinical setting and is designed for single participants and those in partnerships.

Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin on Emotion Recognition and Acute Psycho-Social Stress-induced Cortisol Increase in Patients With Central Diabetes Insipidus and Healthy Controls

This study aims to investigate the potential beneficial effects of intranasal oxytocin compared to placebo on emotion recognition and acute psychosocial stress in patients with arginine vasopressin deficiency compared to matched healthy controls.