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The Role of Estrogen in the Neurobiology of Eating Disorders
NCT03740204 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of transdermal estradiol versus placebo on cognitive flexibility, reward processing, and eating disorder pathology in hypoestrogenemic female adolescents and young adults (ages 14-35 years) with an eating disorder characterized by extreme dietary restriction and/or excessive exercise. Subjects will be randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of transdermal estradiol with cyclic progesterone or placebo patches and cyclic placebo pills. Study visits include a screening visit to determine eligibility and visits at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Study procedures comprise behavioral, neuroimaging, and endocrine assessments.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG 17-β estradiol transdermal patches with cyclic progesterone
- DRUG Placebo patch and pill
Study Locations (1)
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 120 participants |
| Start Date | 2019-06-13 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12-31 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03740204
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03740204 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 120 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Massachusetts General Hospital, which has 1,948 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Eating Disorders appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which 17-β estradiol transdermal patches with cyclic progesterone is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03740204 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Massachusetts. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03740204 about?
NCT03740204 is a clinical study titled "The Role of Estrogen in the Neurobiology of Eating Disorders". This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of transdermal estradiol versus placebo on cognitive flexibility, reward processing, and eating disorder pathology in hypoestrogenemic female adolescents and young adults (ages 14-35 years) with an eating disorder characteri...
What is the current status of trial NCT03740204?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 120 participants. The study started on 2019-06-13. Estimated completion is 2026-12-31.
What conditions does trial NCT03740204 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Eating Disorders, Hypoestrogenemia. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03740204?
The interventions under investigation include: 17-β estradiol transdermal patches with cyclic progesterone (DRUG), Placebo patch and pill (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03740204?
This trial is sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital, which has 1,948 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03740204 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Massachusetts. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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