Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial.

Baker LD, Barsness SM, Borson S, Merriam GR, Friedman SD, Craft S, Vitiello MV

Archives of neurology1 Nov 2012Cited by 106 (Europe PMC)

PMID22869065PMCIDPMC3764914DOI10.1001/archneurol.2012.1970PepBankPUB-22869065

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) had a favorable effect on cognition in the intent-to-treat analysis.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin improved thinking test results compared with placebo.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseCognition, intent-to-treat analysis
Study
n = 152
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The intent-to-treat analysis indicated a favorable effect of GHRH on cognition (P=.03)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults who completed the study, GHRH (tesamorelin) had a favorable effect on cognition.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment who finished the study, tesamorelin improved thinking test results compared with placebo.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseCognition, completer analysis
Study
n = 137
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
The completer analysis showed a similar pattern, with a more robust GHRH effect (P=.002).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906502
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) improved executive function compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin improved executive function test results compared with placebo.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseExecutive function
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Subsequent analyses indicated a positive GHRH effect on executive function (P=.005)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906503
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) showed only a non-significant trend toward better verbal memory.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin showed only a trend, not a significant gain, in verbal memory compared with placebo.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
No significant changeVerbal memory
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
and a trend showing a similar treatment-related benefit in verbal memory(P=.08).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906504
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) increased IGF-1 levels by 117%, within the physiological range.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin raised IGF-1 levels by 117%, within the normal range.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseIGF-1 level
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Growth hormone and IGF-1 · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
IGF-1 increase
117%
GHRH-treated
Source sentences
Summary
Treatment with GHRH increased insulin like growth factor 1 levels by 117 %(P.001), which remained within the physiological range
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906505
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) reduced percent body fat by 7.4%.
In plain wordsIn older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin lowered percent body fat by 7.4%.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
DecreasePercent body fat
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Percent body fat reduction
7.4%
GHRH-treated
Source sentences
Summary
reduced percent body fat by 7.4%(P.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906506
07HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment, GHRH (tesamorelin) increased fasting insulin by 35%, within the normal range.
In plain wordsIn adults with mild cognitive impairment, tesamorelin raised fasting insulin by 35%, within the normal range.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseFasting insulin in adults with MCI
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Fasting insulin increase
35%
adults with MCI
Source sentences
Summary
Treatment with GHRH increased fasting insulin levels within the normal range by 35%in adults with MCI (P.001)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906507
08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy older adults, GHRH (tesamorelin) did not increase fasting insulin, unlike in adults with mild cognitive impairment.
In plain wordsIn healthy older adults, tesamorelin did not raise fasting insulin.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
No significant changeFasting insulin in healthy adults
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
but not in healthy adults.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906508
09HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults, mild adverse events were reported by 68% of GHRH-treated adults and 36% of those given placebo.
In plain wordsIn older adults, mild side effects were reported by 68% of those given tesamorelin and 36% of those given placebo.
Peptide
Tesamorelin
Outcome
IncreaseAdverse event rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
1 mg/d · subcutaneous · 20 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Adverse event rate
68%
GHRH
Adverse event rate
36%
placebo
Source sentences
Summary
Adverse events were mild and were reported by 68%of GHRH treated adults and 36% of those who received placebo.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 152 adults (66 with MCI) ranging in age from 55 to 87 years (mean age, 68 years); 137 adults (76 healthy participants and 61 participants with MCI) successfully completed the study.
Summary · context
Participants self-administered daily subcutaneous injections of tesamorelin (Theratechnologies Inc),a stabilized analog of human GHRH (1 mg/d), or placebo 30 minutes before bedtime for 20 weeks.
Report a problemFND-2286906509

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 2NCT00257712

SMART: Somatotrophics, Memory, and Aging Research Trial

University of Washingtonn = 151Feb 2006 to Dec 2011

Aging · Mild Cognitive Impairment

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 19 Dec 2013

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 19:08 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:13 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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