← Human Trials & Peer-Reviewed Studies
Higher n-3 fatty acids are associated with more intense fenfluramine-induced ACTH and cortisol responses among cocaine-abusing men
Plain-language guide to PMID 21658782 (2011): double-blind randomized controlled trial study of ACTH (Corticotropin) in 12 subjects.
Key Facts
- PMID
- 21658782
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 2011
- Study type
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Authors
- Buydens-Branchey L et al. (3 authors)
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.05.027
What This Study Did, in Plain Language
What Was Tested
The paper reports a study of ACTH (Corticotropin), published as a randomized controlled trial.
Therefore, simultaneous assessments of n-3 PUFAs and of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to challenges with the serotonin (5-HT) probe d,l-fenfluramine (FEN) were performed in 25 cocaine-abusing men and 12 control subjects.
Cocaine abusers were tested 18 days after their admission to a closed ward.
Who Took Part
The study group was 12 subjects.
By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults and middle-aged adults, men only.
How the Study Was Run
The design is described as randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled.
The subjects were allocated by chance, so the ACTH (Corticotropin) group and the comparison group should start out alike.
As a double-blind ACTH (Corticotropin) study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.
Some subjects received a placebo instead of ACTH (Corticotropin), giving a reference point.
Fatty acids were measured in the first test day samples.
What Was Measured
Therefore, simultaneous assessments of n-3 PUFAs and of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to challenges with the serotonin (5-HT) probe d,l-fenfluramine (FEN) were performed in 25 cocaine-abusing men and 12 control subjects.
Cocaine abusers were tested 18 days after their admission to a closed ward.
Topics PubMed links to this paper include Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Chromatography, Gas, Cocaine-Related Disorders, Criminals, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Fenfluramine and Hydrocortisone.
What This Means in Plain Language
The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of ACTH (Corticotropin) in 12 subjects.
With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.
The publication is from 2011 (Psychiatry research), a journal based in Ireland.
More context: the ACTH (Corticotropin) compound page, all human trials.
Our Notes on the Compound
ACTH (Corticotropin): The 39-amino-acid pituitary hormone that drives cortisol production; given as repository corticotropin (Acthar Gel).
Related Pages
Source: PubMed record. This explanation is written by PeptideWhiz from the public record. For research and education only. Not medical advice; no dosing information is given.