Investigating a new treatment to prevent cognitive decline in menopausal women.
Official title: PhytoSERM Efficacy to Prevent Menopause Associated Decline in Brain Metabolism and Cognition: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Clinical Trial
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11020972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a new treatment called PhytoSERM can help improve brain health and thinking skills in women going through menopause or who have already gone through it, with the hope of lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,301,410 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075122-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are symptomatic peri- and post-menopausal women who are concerned about cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not menopausal or who do not exhibit symptoms related to cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the effects of PhytoSERM, a selective estrogen receptor beta modulator, on brain metabolism and cognition in peri- and post-menopausal women. The study will be conducted as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers will know who receives the treatment or the placebo. The goal is to determine if PhytoSERM can effectively reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by promoting beneficial estrogenic actions in the brain while avoiding risks associated with traditional hormone therapies. Participants will be monitored for changes in cognitive function and brain metabolism over the course of the trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative to hormone therapy for menopausal women, potentially reducing their risk of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise with similar approaches, particularly in targeting estrogen receptors to mitigate cognitive decline in women.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.