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Cohn AY, Grant LK, Nathan MD, Wiley A, Abramson M, Harder JA, Crawford S, Klerman EB, Scheer FAJL, Kaiser UB, Rahman SA, Joffe H. Effects of Sleep Fragmentation and Estradiol Decline on Cortisol in a Human Experimental Model of Menopause. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:e1347-e1357. [PMID: 37207451 PMCID: PMC10584010 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Perturbations to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been hypothesized to increase postmenopausal cardiometabolic risk. Although sleep disturbance, a known risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, is prevalent during the menopause transition, it is unknown whether menopause-related sleep disturbance and estradiol decline disturb the HPA axis. OBJECTIVE We examined the effect of experimental fragmentation of sleep and suppression of estradiol as a model of menopause on cortisol levels in healthy young women. METHODS Twenty-two women completed a 5-night inpatient study during the mid-to-late follicular phase (estrogenized). A subset (n = 14) repeated the protocol after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-induced estradiol suppression. Each inpatient study included 2 unfragmented sleep nights followed by 3 experimental sleep fragmentation nights. This study took place with premenopausal women at an academic medical center. Interventions included sleep fragmentation and pharmacological hypoestrogenism, and main outcome measures were serum bedtime cortisol levels and cortisol awakening response (CAR). RESULTS Bedtime cortisol increased 27% (P = .03) and CAR decreased 57% (P = .01) following sleep fragmentation compared to unfragmented sleep. Polysomnographic-derived wake after sleep-onset (WASO) was positively associated with bedtime cortisol levels (P = .047) and negatively associated with CAR (P < .01). Bedtime cortisol levels were 22% lower in the hypoestrogenized state compared to the estrogenized state (P = .02), while CAR was similar in both estradiol conditions (P = .38). CONCLUSION Estradiol suppression and modifiable menopause-related sleep fragmentation both independently perturb HPA axis activity. Sleep fragmentation, commonly seen in menopausal women, may disrupt the HPA axis, which in turn may lead to adverse health effects as women age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviva Y Cohn
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leilah K Grant
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, BWH, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Margo D Nathan
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aleta Wiley
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mathena Abramson
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jessica A Harder
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sybil Crawford
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Klerman
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, BWH, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, HMS, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Frank A J L Scheer
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, BWH, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shadab A Rahman
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, BWH, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hadine Joffe
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, BWH, HMS, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Rahman SA, Nathan MD, Wiley A, Crawford S, Cohn AY, Harder JA, Grant LK, Erickson A, Srivastava A, McCormick K, Bertisch SM, Winkelman JW, Joffe H. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of suvorexant for the treatment of vasomotor symptom-associated insomnia disorder in midlife women. Sleep 2022; 45:6503732. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study Objectives
The neuropeptide orexin promotes wakefulness, modulates thermoregulation, increases after menopause, and is normalized in women receiving estrogen therapy, suggesting a role for orexin antagonism as a treatment for the vasomotor symptom (VMS)-associated insomnia disorder. We tested the efficacy of the dual orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant for chronic insomnia related to nighttime VMS.
Methods
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 56 women with chronic insomnia associated with nighttime VMS, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores ≥15, and >30 min of diary-rated wake after sleep-onset (WASO) were randomized to receive oral suvorexant 10–20 mg (n = 27) or placebo (n = 29) nightly for 4 weeks. Analysis of within-person change in ISI was adjusted for baseline ISI and race.
Results
Mean baseline ISI scores were 18.1 (95% CI, 16.8 to 19.4) and 18.3 (95% CI, 17.2 to 19.5) in the suvorexant and placebo groups, respectively (p = .81). The average 4-week ISI within-person decrease from baseline was greater on suvorexant (−8.1 [95% CI, −10.2 to −6.0]) compared to placebo (−5.6 [95% CI, −7.4 to −3.9], p = .04). Compared to placebo, nighttime diary-rated VMS frequency was significantly reduced with suvorexant (p < .01). While diary-rated WASO and total sleep time trended toward improvement on suvorexant, findings were not significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Daytime VMS and other sleep-related outcomes did not differ between groups. Suvorexant was well tolerated.
Conclusion
These results suggest that suvorexant is likely a well-tolerated and efficacious treatment for VMS-associated insomnia disorder and reduces nighttime VMS. Antagonism of orexin receptors could provide a novel therapeutic option for midlife women with VMS-associated chronic insomnia.
Clinical Trial Information
Efficacy of Suvorexant in the Treatment of Hot Flash-associated Insomnia, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03034018, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03034018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadab A Rahman
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margo D Nathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aleta Wiley
- Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sybil Crawford
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMASS Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Aviva Y Cohn
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica A Harder
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leilah K Grant
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Athena Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Akanksha Srivastava
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen McCormick
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne M Bertisch
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John W Winkelman
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadine Joffe
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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de Wit AE, Giltay EJ, de Boer MK, Bosker FJ, Cohn AY, Nolen WA, Kaiser UB, Joffe H, Penninx BW, Schoevers RA. Plasma androgens and the presence and course of depression in a large cohort of women. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:124. [PMID: 33579903 PMCID: PMC7881099 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a higher prevalence in women with supraphysiologic androgen levels. Whether there is also an association between depression and androgen levels in the physiological range, is unknown. This study examined if women with current MDD have higher androgen levels compared to women who have never had MDD, and if androgen levels are associated with onset and remission of MDD. In 1659 women (513 current MDD, 754 remitted MDD, and 392 never MDD), baseline plasma levels of total testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with radioimmunoassays. Free testosterone was calculated. MDD status was assessed at baseline, and at 2 and 4 years follow-up. Women were aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age 41) with total testosterone levels in the physiological range (geometric mean 0.72 nmol/L [95% CI 0.27-1.93]). After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing, women with current MDD had a higher mean free testosterone than women who never had MDD (adjusted geometric mean 8.50 vs. 7.55 pmol/L, p = 0.0005), but this difference was not large enough to be considered clinically meaningful as it was consistent with statistical equivalence. Levels of other androgens and SHBG did not differ and were also statistically equivalent between the groups. None of the androgens or SHBG levels predicted onset or remission of MDD. Our findings support the idea that plasma androgens within the physiological range have no or only limited effects on depressive disorders in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk E. de Wit
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik J. Giltay
- grid.10419.3d0000000089452978Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marrit K. de Boer
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fokko J. Bosker
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Aviva Y. Cohn
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Willem A. Nolen
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ursula B. Kaiser
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Hadine Joffe
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA USA ,Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Boston, MA USA
| | - Brenda W.J.H. Penninx
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A. Schoevers
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Ghazani AA, Breen KM, Dwan M, Barletta JA, Vatnick DR, Stokes SM, Block C, Doherty GM, Cohn AY, Marqusee E, Garber JE, Rana HQ. Unexpected Pathogenic RET p.V804M Variant Leads to the Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Am J Case Rep 2020; 21:e927415. [PMID: 33361738 PMCID: PMC7774021 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.927415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Patient: Female, 62-year-old Final Diagnosis: Medullary thyroid microcarcinoma Symptoms: No pain or swelling in her neck • no dysphagia or odynophagia • no changes in voice Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Genetic analysis Specialty: Genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezou A Ghazani
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katelyn M Breen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meaghan Dwan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna R Vatnick
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha M Stokes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Block
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gerard M Doherty
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aviva Y Cohn
- Thyroid Section, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Marqusee
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Thyroid Section, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Judy E Garber
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huma Q Rana
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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