Effects of GH on cognitive function in elderly patients with adult-onset GH deficiency: a placebo-controlled 12-month study.
OBJECTIVE
Young adults with childhood-onset GH deficiency (GHD) have reduced memory and attention, which can be improved by treatment with GH. Little information is available on cognitive function in elderly GHD patients.


METHODS
Single center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 52-week duration.


METHODS
Elderly GH therapy naïve GHD patients (n=34; age range 60-77 years) were enrolled and randomized to receive placebo or GH therapy which was titrated to achieve a target IGF-I level of +1 to +2 s.d. of the normal mean for age. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and after 24 and 52 weeks, using a computerized psychometric test package (Neurobehavioral Examination System-2).


RESULTS
The mean GH dose was 0.16+/-0.06 mg/day; mean IGF-I increased from 135+/-59 ng/ml at baseline to 213+/-77 ng/ml during active treatment. The GH-treated group had better mean serial digit learning scores compared with placebo group (P<0.05). Assessment of effect sizes showed that improvements in memory occurred with GH after 24 weeks. The overall adverse event rates were similar in the GH and the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that GH replacement may be accompanied by improvement in certain measures of cognitive function in elderly patients with GHD.
Sathiavageeswaran
Mahesh
M
Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK.
Burman
Pia
P
Lawrence
David
D
Harris
Alan G
AG
Falleti
Marina G
MG
Maruff
Paul
P
Wass
John
J
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I