Active clinical trials for "Cushing Syndrome"

Glucose fluctuations present not only in patients with diabetes mellitus but also in subjects with normal glucose tolerance or impaired glucose regulation. People with Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma and Cushing Syndrome are at risk of impaired glucose metabolism. Glycemic variability is poorly studied in the nondiabetic individuals. The aim of the study is to investigate the characteristics of glucose fluctuations in the newly diagnosed Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma and Cushing Syndrome individuals.

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) is a hypothalamic hormone made up of 41 amino acids. Amino acids are proteins that when combined make up different substances, like hormones. The order of amino acids in CRH, has been determined, meaning that the hormone can now be synthetically reproduced in a laboratory setting. When CRH is released from the hypothalamus it stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete another hormone, ACTH. ACTH then causes the adrenal glands to make a third hormone, cortisol. This process is known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Problems can occur in any of the steps of this process and result in a variety of diseases (Cushing's Syndrome and adrenal insufficiency). Researchers hope that CRH created in a laboratory setting, ovine CRH (oCRH) can be used to help diagnose and treat conditions of the HPA axis. This study will test the relationship for single doses of oCRH in normal volunteers and patients with disorders of the HPA axis. The oCRH will be injected into the patients vein as a single injection or slowly through an IV line over 24 hours. The participants will have blood tests taken to measure hormone levels before, during, and after receiving the oCRH.

This study is designed to provide information about the cause of two unusual types of Cushing's syndrome and to evaluate quality of life before and after cure of the disease. In Cushing's syndrome, the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. This often causes weight gain, skin changes (bruising and stretch marks), and mood changes such as irritability, easy crying and depression. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) normally regulates cortisol production; when cortisol is low, ACTH rises, stimulating the adrenals to produce more cortisol, and when cortisol is high, ACTH levels fall. In two forms of Cushing's syndrome, however, the adrenal glands produce cortisol even when ACTH is low. Patients 18 years of age and older with Cushing's syndrome not related to ACTH production may participate in this study. Candidates will be have a history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, urine, blood and saliva tests, and a computerized tomography (CT) scan of one or both adrenal glands. They will fill out questionnaires on their disease symptoms, quality of life, and on basic information about themselves, such as marital status, education level, place of residence, etc. Finally, they will have a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test to confirm that they have the form of Cushing's syndrome under study in this protocol. This test involves collecting blood samples at intervals before and after administration of sheep CRH to measure cortisol and ACTH levels. Participants will undergo 3 to 7 days of testing to determine if their cortisol level rises after taking certain medicines or eating certain foods. These foods and medicines, chosen to mimic or stimulate substances already in the body, are: glucagon, ACTH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, vasopressin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and a mixed meal consisting of a protein, carbohydrate and fat (usually chicken breast and a milkshake-like drink). Blood will be collected at intervals before and after taking the food or medicine to measure cortisol blood levels. Blood will also be collected while the patient is in a standing position and while lying in bed, because changes in posture can cause substances in the body to increase or decrease. Depending on the individual's response to these tests, additional tests may be done with insulin, glucose, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Patients who do not respond to these substances will undergo adrenalectomy (surgery to remove one or both adrenal glands). This is standard treatment for this type of Cushing's syndrome. It is usually done by laparoscopy, in which air is injected into the abdomen through tubes inserted through a small incision, enabling the surgeon to see the organs and remove the gland. Part of the removed tissue will be examined to learn about what causes this type of Cushing's syndrome; it may also be used for genetic studies related to the disease. Patients will stay in the hospital for a week to 10 days for observation and treatment and then will be discharged to the care of their own doctor. They will continue to complete the quality of life questionnaire every 3 months for 2 years. Patients with normal adrenal glands who are participating in National Cancer Institute studies and are scheduled for adrenalectomy as part of their standard treatment will also be recruited for this study to serve as controls. The patients will have a 24-hour urine collection, and part of the adrenal gland tissue removed for their treatment will be used for research purposes of this study, possibly including genetic study.

This is an observational study to confirm the presence of recurrent or persistent endogenous Cushing's syndrome in patients who have had primary surgical and/or radiation therapy for Cushing's disease and continue to manifest symptoms and signs of hypercortisolemia.

Chart review study to collect patient data from medical charts of patients who have been treated with Korlym® for the treatment of ACTH independent adrenal Cushing's Syndrome.

This study aims at evaluating the myocardial triglyceride content and cardiac structure and function, using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, in patients with Cushing's syndrome before and after treatment and in age-, sex- and BMI-matched healthy volunteers. The investigators make the hypothesis that Cushing's syndrome patients compared to healthy subjects present with excess lipid storage in cardiac myocytes, reversible upon correction of hypercortisolism.

Patients with tumors in both adrenal glands and slightly elevated cortisol (subclinical Cushings syndrome) are offered to go through an adrenal venous sampling to try to quantify if the overproduction of cortisol is from one adrenal, or from both sides. If it is one-sided, the investigators offer the patient operation.

Lentiginosis refers to groups of diseases marked by the presence of pigmented spots on the skin. These conditions are most commonly associated with multiple tumors and changes in hormone producing glands. The cause of these diseases is unknown, but researchers suggest there may be a level of inheritance involved in their development. Meaning to say that some of these diseases may "run in the family" and be passed down form generation to generation. Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a pituitary-independent, primary adrenal form of hypercortisolism characterized by; Resistance to suppression by the drug dexamethasone The body is unable to secrete cortisol in a normal rhythm Distinct microscopic changes of both adrenal glands PPNAD can be associated with tumors (myxomas) of the skin, heart, breast, tumors (swannomas) of the nerve sheaths, pigmented spots (nevi and lentigines) of the skin, growth hormone (GH) producing tumors of the pituitary gland, and tumors of the testicles, ovaries, and thyroid gland. In the presence of these associations the condition is referred to as the Carney Complex. Presently there are no tests for screening of PPNAD and the Carney Complex. In addition, it is unknown how these conditions are genetically transferred from generation to generation. This study proposes to use standard methods of clinical testing for endocrine and nonendocrine diseases and genetic testing in order to; Define the genetic basis for PPNAD and/or the Carney Complex. Determine the molecular changes associated with the development of the tumors. Identify carriers of the disease. Determine the prognosis for carriers and affected individuals. Provide sufficient data for genetic counseling of families with PPNAD and/or Carney Complex.<TAB>...

Hypercortisolism leads to long term physical and cognitive sequelae. This also holds true for quality of life, even several years after remission. This altered quality of life, highly subjective, is however, badly evaluated by the family of the patient. This could lead to misunderstanding, avec worsen the general physical and mental health of the patient. To our knowledge, this theoretical difference of perception has never been evaluated up to now. The aim of our study is to evaluate the difference of perception of the quality of life and body image between patients in remission of hypercortisolism, and their caregivers. Secondary objectives will be to evaluate the quality of life of the caregivers, the coping strategies, and the depression/anxiety parameters of both the patient and the caregiver. Patients and methods: the study is Observative, prospective and non-randomized. Inclusion criteria will be patients, aged more than 18, with hypercortisolism in remission for at least 1 year. Self-questionnaires on quality of life, body image, coping, depression and anxiety will be provided to the patient and his/her caregiver. Fulfilling will be blind between the patient and his/her caregiver. Inclusion period will be 12 months. Results will be compared between the patient and his/her caregiver. Expected results: investigators anticipate that some caregivers will have a different perception of the general physical and mental condition as stated by the patient. The first time that the quality of life of the caregiver would be also altered. This original project might lead to modify the management of Cushing's syndrome, by considering both the patient and his/her caregiver on a long term basis after remission.

Salivary cortisol is used as a diagnostic analysis in the investigation of suspected Cushings' syndrome. This study evaluates if liqourice intake increases salivary cortisol in healthy individuals. Late night salivary cortisol and cortisone is analysed before, during and after 7 days of liqourice intake in three different doses.