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IMProving Executive Function Study

Multi-Modal Imaging of Psychostimulant Effects on Executive Function Post-RRSO

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03187353
Acronym
IMPRES
Enrollment
69
Registered
2017-06-14
Start date
2017-09-22
Completion date
2022-04-30
Last updated
2023-11-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Impairment, RRSO

Keywords

Cognitive complaints, RRSO, Oophorectomy, Memory, Cognition, Early menopause

Brief summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study testing whether Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine; LDX) improves executive functioning (EF) in 100 postmenopausal women who report onset of EF difficulties after oophorectomy. This study involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see how LDX affects brain chemistry while undergoing two 6-week trials of the study drug and placebo capsules. UPDATE: We have recently updated this protocol (09/2020) to offer a remote version of the study that can be completed entirely from the participant's home. This alternate version of the study eliminates travel, the MRI, and blood draws.

Detailed description

Following a medically induced menopause, many women report difficulty in remembering things, focusing and concentrating. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a stimulant medication called Vyvanse® (lisdexamfetamine; LDX) on executive functioning, such as attention, processing, organization, and memory, in women who are experiencing executive functioning difficulties after having undergone a risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). This study involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see how LDX affects brain chemistry while undergoing two 6-week trials of the study drug and placebo capsules. Individuals wishing to participate in this study are medically healthy women between the ages of 35-58 years old who have undergone a risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) within the previous 15 years. Participants must have been premenopausal before undergoing RRSO (meaning they were having regular periods). They also must not have undergone radiation or chemotherapy in the past year. Furthermore, participants must not suffer from a mental illness, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and must not have a recent history of drug abuse. Additionally, participants must not suffer from a fear of small, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), and not have any implanted medical devices such as a pacemaker, orthodontic braces, or shrapnel. They must not have a history of seizures, uncontrolled hypertension or known renal impairment.

Interventions

DRUGLisdexamfetamine

Stimulant medications are used to reduce interruptive behavior, fidgeting, and other hyperactive symptoms, as well as help a person finish tasks and improve his or her relationships for adults who have ADHD. Please note that the FDA has not approved the use of Vyvanse® for the treatment of memory and concentration difficulties related to medically induced menopause.

DRUGPlacebo oral capsule

The placebo capsule will be filled with microcellulose.

Sponsors

University of Pennsylvania
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
35 Years to 58 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Female; * Age 35-58; * Have undergone risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) within the previous 15 years AND were premenopausal at the time of RRSO; * Score of ≥ 20 on the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS); * Onset of executive function difficulties occurred post RRSO; * Clean urine drug screen (nicotine and marijuana are permissible); * Are fluent in written and spoken English; * Are able to give written informed consent (obtained at screening visit); * Have a high school diploma or equivalent degree (i.e., GED), as per subject report; * If using aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen: Must have been on a stable dose for at least 6 months; * If completing visits remotely: Must have access to a telecommunications application (i.e., Skype), email, scanner/fax machine, and a private area that enables the protection of participant confidentiality.

Exclusion criteria

* Current, untreated psychiatric disorder; * Substance use disorder within the previous 3 years; * Lifetime history of ADHD or psychotic disorder including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia; * Lifetime history of stimulant abuse or dependence; * Regular use of psychotropic medications except selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), bupropion, zolpidem, gabapentin, or buspirone; * Chemotherapy within the past year; * Previous history of sensitivity or adverse reaction to lisdexamfetamine (LDX); * History of seizures or unstable medical condition; * Known heart disease or clinically significant abnormal electrocardiogram during screening as determined by the study MD; * Uncontrolled hypertension; * Presence of a metallic implant contraindicative to scanning at the 7T level; * Claustrophobia. * Consistent systolic blood pressure of \>145mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure \>90 mm Hg after three readings at time of screening; * Known renal impairment and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) Change Score (End of Trial Minus Baseline).Outcome measure change score represents end of trial (6 weeks) minus baseline.The Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) (Brown, 1996) is a 40-item questionnaire that assesses five subscales of executive functioning. For each item in the questionnaire, participants reported the extent to which it had been a problem over the last six months (0 = never, 1 = once a week or less, 2 = twice a week, or 3 = almost daily). Total BADDS scores can range from 0-120, with higher scores indicating more self-reported difficulties with executive functioning. Outcome measures are reported as change scores for end of trial (6 weeks) minus baseline.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Brain Activation (Glutamate Contrast)6 weeksTo measure the effects of Lisdexamfetamine on objective report of executive function difficulties proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was utilized to assess the relative importance of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) glutamate (Glut) contrast levels during working memory task performance. Measurement of glutamate contrast range from 0 to 15% with higher levels associated with optimal performance. Glutamate contrast is calculated by: GluCEST contrast (%) = \[(Msat(-3ppm) - Msat(+3ppm))/Msat(-3ppm)\]\*100.
Brain Activation (BOLD Percent Signal Change)6 weeksTo measure the effects of Lisdexamfetamine on objective report of executive function difficulties functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were utilized to assess the relative importance of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) blood oxygen dependent (BOLD) signals during working memory task performance and the effect of LDX on the executive system activation. Measurement of BOLD perecent signal change range is 0 to 2%. Percent signal change is the difference in fMRI signal between the baseline condition (B) and the task condition (T) and calculated here as: percent signal change = (T-B)/B×100%. Higher percent signal change in the DLPFC is generally associated with better executive function.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Lisdexamfetamine, Then Placebo
Participants will have a 50% chance of first receiving the active study medication. They will begin at 20 mg/d and will increase up to 60 mg/d after 4 weeks, if well tolerated. Total time on the study drug is up to 6 weeks. After a washout period of 2 weeks they will begin with 1 sugar pill and will increase up to 3 pills after 4 weeks. Maximum time for taking the placebo is 6 weeks.
36
Placebo, Then Lisdexamfetamine
Participants will have a 50% chance of first receiving the placebo, beginning with 1 sugar pill and increasing up to 3 pills after 4 weeks. Maximum time for taking the placebo is 6 weeks. After a washout period of 2 weeks, they will begin active study medication at 20 mg/d and will increase up to 60 mg/d after 4 weeks, if well tolerated. Total time on the study drug is up to 6 weeks.
33
Total69

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
First Intervention (6 Weeks)Adverse Event32
First Intervention (6 Weeks)Withdrawal by Subject01
Second Intervention (6 Weeks)Adverse Event10
Washout (2 Weeks)Adverse Event20
Washout (2 Weeks)Lost to Follow-up10
Washout (2 Weeks)Withdrawal by Subject11

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlacebo, Then LisdexamfetamineTotalLisdexamfetamine, Then Placebo
Age, Continuous47.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.8
47.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.5
46.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.4
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
30 Participants62 Participants32 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
3 Participants6 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants3 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
32 Participants66 Participants34 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
33 Participants69 Participants36 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 640 / 590 / 430 / 58
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 643 / 5912 / 434 / 58
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 640 / 590 / 430 / 58

Outcome results

Primary

Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) Change Score (End of Trial Minus Baseline).

The Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) (Brown, 1996) is a 40-item questionnaire that assesses five subscales of executive functioning. For each item in the questionnaire, participants reported the extent to which it had been a problem over the last six months (0 = never, 1 = once a week or less, 2 = twice a week, or 3 = almost daily). Total BADDS scores can range from 0-120, with higher scores indicating more self-reported difficulties with executive functioning. Outcome measures are reported as change scores for end of trial (6 weeks) minus baseline.

Time frame: Outcome measure change score represents end of trial (6 weeks) minus baseline.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Lisdexamfetamine (Per Intervention)Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) Change Score (End of Trial Minus Baseline).-19.68 score on a scale
Placebo (Per Intervention)Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) Change Score (End of Trial Minus Baseline).-4.31 score on a scale
Secondary

Brain Activation (BOLD Percent Signal Change)

To measure the effects of Lisdexamfetamine on objective report of executive function difficulties functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were utilized to assess the relative importance of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) blood oxygen dependent (BOLD) signals during working memory task performance and the effect of LDX on the executive system activation. Measurement of BOLD perecent signal change range is 0 to 2%. Percent signal change is the difference in fMRI signal between the baseline condition (B) and the task condition (T) and calculated here as: percent signal change = (T-B)/B×100%. Higher percent signal change in the DLPFC is generally associated with better executive function.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: In response to the COVID -19 pandemic baseline neuroimaging data was only collected and analyzed on a subset of study participant (n=14).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Lisdexamfetamine (Per Intervention)Brain Activation (BOLD Percent Signal Change).42 percentage of signal changeStandard Deviation 0.229
Placebo (Per Intervention)Brain Activation (BOLD Percent Signal Change).21 percentage of signal changeStandard Deviation 0.223
Secondary

Brain Activation (Glutamate Contrast)

To measure the effects of Lisdexamfetamine on objective report of executive function difficulties proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was utilized to assess the relative importance of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) glutamate (Glut) contrast levels during working memory task performance. Measurement of glutamate contrast range from 0 to 15% with higher levels associated with optimal performance. Glutamate contrast is calculated by: GluCEST contrast (%) = \[(Msat(-3ppm) - Msat(+3ppm))/Msat(-3ppm)\]\*100.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: In response to the COVID -19 pandemic baseline neuroimaging data was only collected and analyzed on a subset of study participant (n=14).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Lisdexamfetamine (Per Intervention)Brain Activation (Glutamate Contrast)8.4 percentage of Glutmate ContrastStandard Deviation 1.03
Placebo (Per Intervention)Brain Activation (Glutamate Contrast)8.91 percentage of Glutmate ContrastStandard Deviation 0.86

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026