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PhytoSERM to Prevent Menopause Associated Decline in Brain Metabolism and Cognition

PhytoSERM Efficacy to Prevent Menopause Associated Decline in Brain Metabolism and Cognition: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05664477
Enrollment
100
Registered
2022-12-23
Start date
2024-01-10
Completion date
2027-01-31
Last updated
2026-03-13

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

Conditions

Brain Disorder, Metabolic, Cognitive Change, Menopause

Brief summary

This is a proof-of-concept phase 2 clinical trial to investigate the safety and effect of the phytoestrogenic supplement PhytoSERM on regional brain metabolism by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) in peri- and postmenopausal women. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a significant difference between the PhytoSERM group and placebo group in glucose brain metabolism.

Detailed description

This is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel designed, proof-of-concept phase 2 clinical trial to determine effect of PhytoSERM in regional brain metabolism, cognition and vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. PhytoSERM or placebo pills will be administered orally once a week over 24 weeks. Safety and tolerability will also be assessed over the duration of the study. To determine eligibility, all participants will undergo cognitive assessment, physical and neurological examination, imaging scans, electrocardiogram (ECG), clinical/safety laboratory assessment, and interviews. After a 2-4-week screening period, participants will be randomized to study intervention (PhytoSERM 50mg administered orally, once per day) or matching placebo, in a 1:1 allocation. Brain imaging to evaluate the primary endpoint (standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) by FDG-PET) will be conducted at screening and 24 weeks (6 months). Study participants will be asked to complete a total of 7 study visits. All participants will be enrolled at a single site, at the Alzheimer's Prevention Program (APP) at Weill Cornell Medical Centre (WCMC, New York). This study protocol will include an embedded single-dose, 24-hour pharmacokinetic (PK) study in a subset of 12 participants which will begin after the first dose of the study intervention.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPhytoSERM

PhytoSERM is a dietary supplement containing equal amounts of genistein (16.7 mg ± 10%), daidzein (16.7 mg ± 10%) and S-equol (16.7 mg ± 10%).

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo product with identical shape, size and color will be produced with absence of S-equol, daidzein and genistein. Ingredients include calcium carbonate, comprecel M102, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, Zeofree 5162, magnesium stearate, carnauba wax, coating cellulose clear (PEG), coating white (PEG), water.

Sponsors

Roberta Brinton
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
CollaboratorNIH
Cornell University
CollaboratorOTHER
ADM Diagnostics
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
45 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Peri- or postmenopausal women with the latter defined as last menstrual period (LMP) completed ≥ 60 days and ≤ 4 years, per the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) criteria. 2. Age 45-60 years. 3. Presence of hot flashes ≥ 7 per day. 4. In good general health as evidenced by medical history. 5. Clinical laboratory values must be within normal limits or, if abnormal, must be judged to be not clinically significant by the investigator. 6. No medical contraindications to study participation. 7. Stable medications for 4 weeks prior to the baseline visits. 8. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form. 9. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. 10. Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the PhytoSERM regimen. 11. For females of reproductive potential: Negative pregnancy test and use of highly effective contraception by male partner for at least 1 month prior to screening and agreement to use such a method during study participation. 12. Fluent in English or Spanish.

Exclusion criteria

1. Known allergies to isoflavones or soy-based products. 2. Evidence of cognitive impairment on the Mini-Mental State Examination (total score \< 27). 3. Pregnancy 4. Use of estrogen or progestin compounds within 8 weeks of baseline. 5. Use of investigational agent within 12 weeks of baseline. 6. Concurrent neurologic, systemic, or psychiatric disease that would influence cognition or ability to provide informed consent and to participate. 7. Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, active neoplastic disease, history of breast cancer, or at risk of developing breast cancer, endometrial hyperplasia. 8. History of epilepsy, focal brain lesion, head injury with loss of consciousness or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) criteria for any major psychiatric disorder including psychosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse. 9. Thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA). 10. Current use of tobacco or a history of alcohol abuse. 11. Use of drugs, herbs, or dietary supplements to treat menopausal or cognitive symptoms less than 8 weeks prior to baseline. 12. Evidence of any significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding. 13. Known allergy to soy-derived products/ proteins or branded over the counter products; hypersensitivity to estrogens or progestins. 14. Visual and auditory acuity inadequate for neuropsychological testing 15. Inability to undergo MRI scans 16. Inability to undergo PET scans

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) by 18F-FDG PETBaseline to 24 weeksRegional brain glucose metabolism SUVR

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Trail Making Test (TMT)Baseline to 24 weeksThe TMT is scored by how long it takes to complete the test. For TMT-B, an average score is 75 seconds, and a deficient score is greater than 273 seconds. Less is better.
List Sorting Working Memory TestBaseline to 24 weeksTest scores consisted of combined total items correct on the one- and two-list versions of the task (maximum 28). The raw sum score is then transformed to a standardized t-metric. More is better.
Picture Sequence Memory TestBaseline to 24 weeksMaximum raw score of 48 for ages 20-60 years. More is better.
Auditory Verbal Learning TestBaseline to 24 weeksThe Rey is scored by taking the sum of the number of words recalled across all trials (possible range is 0-45 words).
Oral Symbol Digit TestBaseline to 24 weeksThe Oral Symbol Digit Test is scored as the number of items answered correctly in 120 seconds (possible range is 0-144).
Hot flash Frequency CompositeBaseline to 24 weeksHot flash frequency and severity scores. Less is better.
Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) ScoreBaseline to 24 weeksThe total score of the MRS ranges between 0 (asymptomatic) and 44 (highest degree of complaints).
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexBaseline to 24 weeksA global sum of "5" or greater indicates a "poor" sleeper.
Positive and Negative Affect ScaleBaseline to 24 weeksPositive and negative affect items are summed separately and range from 0 to 50 with higher scores indicating higher positive affect and higher negative affect respectively.
Beck Depression Inventory - IIBaseline to 24 weeksMaximum score is 63. Higher scores represent greater depressive symptoms.
Pharmacokinetics: Peak Plasma Concentration (Cmax)BaselineThe highest concentration of each phytoestrogen in the blood after a dose is given.
Pharmacokinetics: Time of peak concentration (tmax)BaselineTime required to achieve peak plasma levels.
Pharmacokinetics: Half-life (t1/2)BaselineThe time required for plasma concentration of phytoSERMs to decrease by 50%
Pharmacokinetics: Area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC)BaselineThe concentration of phytoSERMs in blood plasma as a function of time. Gives insight into the extent of exposure to phytoSERM and its clearance rate from the body.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRoberta D Brinton, PhD

University of Arizona

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORGerson D Hernandez, MD, MPH

University of Arizona

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026