Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will determine the effects of pregnenolone on brain function, inflammation and depressive symptoms in people with HIV who have depression. Participants in this study will receive a pill of either pregnenolone or placebo, and can stay on their current antidepression medications. Brain imaging and behavioral assessments will be performed during the study.


Clinical Trial Description

Pregnenolone is a neuroactive steroid that exhibits actions highly relevant to treating depression in people with HIV. The investigators' recent human data suggest that neuroactive steroids are decreased in people with HIV and depression. In addition, multiple groups have reported reductions in neuroactive steroids in people without HIV who have depression. A total of 120 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy with depression will be randomized to either pregnenolone or placebo (2 groups/90 participants receiving pregnenolone and 30 participants receiving placebo). Drug dosage will begin at 50 mg daily and incrementally increase to 500 mg daily within the first 4 weeks, with a stable 500 mg/day regimen for the final 4 weeks. Behavioral testing and blood draw will be performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, while magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be conducted at 2 weeks and 8 weeks. The investigators hypothesize that pregnenolone will be well-tolerated in people with HIV and depression, and that this intervention may improve brain activity and reduce inflammation. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05570812
Study type Interventional
Source Massachusetts General Hospital
Contact Hemi Park, MPH
Phone 857-282-3788
Email MGHSOOTHE@PARTNERS.ORG
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Start date March 3, 2023
Completion date January 2028

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT06162897 - Case Management Dyad N/A
Completed NCT03999411 - Smartphone Intervention for Smoking Cessation and Improving Adherence to Treatment Among HIV Patients Phase 4
Completed NCT02528773 - Efficacy of ART to Interrupt HIV Transmission Networks
Recruiting NCT05454839 - Preferences for Services in a Patient's First Six Months on Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV in South Africa
Recruiting NCT05322629 - Stepped Care to Optimize PrEP Effectiveness in Pregnant and Postpartum Women N/A
Completed NCT02579135 - Reducing HIV Risk Among Adolescents: Evaluating Project HEART N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT01790373 - Evaluating a Youth-Focused Economic Empowerment Approach to HIV Treatment Adherence N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06044792 - The Influence of Primary HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations on Immune Reconstruction in PLWH
Completed NCT04039217 - Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Persistence in Different Body Compartments in HIV Negative MSM Phase 4
Active, not recruiting NCT04519970 - Clinical Opportunities and Management to Exploit Biktarvy as Asynchronous Connection Key (COMEBACK) N/A
Completed NCT04124536 - Combination Partner HIV Testing Strategies for HIV-positive and HIV-negative Pregnant Women N/A
Recruiting NCT05599581 - Tu'Washindi RCT: Adolescent Girls in Kenya Taking Control of Their Health N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04588883 - Strengthening Families Living With HIV in Kenya N/A
Completed NCT02758093 - Speed of Processing Training in Adults With HIV N/A
Completed NCT02500446 - Dolutegravir Impact on Residual Replication Phase 4
Completed NCT03805451 - Life Steps for PrEP for Youth N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT03902431 - Translating the ABCS Into HIV Care N/A
Completed NCT00729391 - Women-Focused HIV Prevention in the Western Cape Phase 2/Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05736588 - Elimisha HPV (Human Papillomavirus) N/A
Recruiting NCT03589040 - Darunavir and Rilpivirine Interactions With Etonogestrel Contraceptive Implant Phase 2