Investigating how puberty and sex hormones affect pain sensitivity and migraines in adolescents
Hormonal Effects of Puberty-Related Alterations on Pain in Adolescents With Migraine
This study is testing how puberty and sex hormones affect pain sensitivity and migraines in teenagers to see if there's a link between hormone levels and migraine symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 11 Years to 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Saint Louis, Missouri) |
| Trial ID | NCT05738213 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research examines the relationship between sex hormone levels and pain sensitivity in adolescents, particularly focusing on those with migraines. The study will assess how puberty influences pain sensitivity and migraine severity through various experimental pain stimuli. It aims to explore correlations between testosterone levels and migraine symptoms, comparing adolescents diagnosed with migraines to healthy controls. The findings could provide insights into the hormonal influences on pain perception during puberty.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 11-15, both males and females, who either have a diagnosis of migraine or are healthy controls without a family history of migraines.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have chronic pain conditions other than migraines may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of migraine symptoms in adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific hypotheses may be novel, studies exploring the relationship between sex hormones and pain sensitivity have shown varying degrees of success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria 1. Age between 11-15 2. Males and females 3. English speakers 4. Migraine group: diagnosed with migraine 5. Control group: Healthy, with no first degree relative with migraine Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding, 2. Chronic pain (except for migraine for the migraine group), neurological or psychiatric syndromes or syndromes associated with pubertal maturation 3. Use of medications that impact sex hormone levels (i.e., contraceptive pills)
Where this trial is running
Saint Louis, Missouri
- Washington University School of Medicine — Saint Louis, Missouri, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD — Washington University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Alana McMichael, MA
- Email: amcmich@wustl.edu
- Phone: 314-273-6194
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.