Cognitive, Emotional, and Psychosocial Functioning of Girls Treated with Pharmacological Puberty Blockage for Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty.

Wojniusz S, Callens N, Sütterlin S, Andersson S, De Schepper J, Gies I, Vanbesien J, De Waele K, Van Aken S, Craen M, Vögele C, Cools M, Haraldsen IR

Frontiers in psychology12 Jul 2016Cited by 59 (Europe PMC)

PMID27462292PMCIDPMC4940404DOI10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01053PepBankPUB-27462292

Download PDF PubMedAsk about this study

Jump to 4 results

Summary

Central precocious puberty (CPP) develops due to premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, resulting in early pubertal changes and rapid bone maturation. CPP is associated with lower adult height and increased risk for development of psychological problems. Standard treatment of CPP is based on postponement of pubertal development by blockade of the HPG axis with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) leading to abolition of gonadal sex hormones synthesis. Whereas the hormonal and auxological effects of GnRHa are well-researched, there is a lack of knowledge whether GnRHa treatment influences psychological functioning of treated children, despite the fact that prevention of psychological problems is used as one of the main reasons for treatment initiation. In the present study we seek to address this issue by exploring differences in cognitive function, behavior, emotional reactivity, and psychosocial problems between GnRHa treated CPP girls and age-matched controls. Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate-Decapeptyl SR® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls, were assessed with a comprehensive test battery consisting of paper and pencil tests, computerized tasks, behavioral paradigms, heart rate variability, and questionnaires filled in by the children's parents. Both groups showed very similar scores with regard to cognitive performance, behavioral and psychosocial problems. Compared to controls, treated girls displayed significantly higher emotional reactivity (p = 0.016; Cohen's d = 1.04) on one of the two emotional reactivity task conditions. Unexpectedly, the CPP group showed significantly lower resting heart rates than the controls (p = 0.004; Cohen's d = 1.03); lower heart rate was associated with longer treatment duration (r = -0.582, p = 0.037). The results suggest that GnRHa treated CPP girls do not differ in their cognitive or psychosocial functioning from age matched controls. However, they might process emotional stimuli differently. The unexpected finding of lower heart rate that was associated with longer duration of the treatment should be further explored by methods appropriate for assessment of cardiac health.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanObservational studyOther
Girls with CPP treated with triptorelin had similar cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial scores to age-matched controls.
In plain wordsGirls treated with triptorelin had similar cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial scores to controls.
Peptide
Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl)
Outcome
No significant changeCognitive, behavioral and psychosocial scores
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Age-matched controls
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Both groups showed very similar scores with regard to cognitive performance, behavioral and psychosocial problems.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate-Decapeptyl SR® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls,
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2746229201
02HumanObservational studyOther
Triptorelin-treated girls with CPP had higher emotional reactivity than controls in one task condition.
In plain wordsGirls treated with triptorelin showed greater emotional reactions than controls in one task condition.
Peptide
Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl)
Outcome
IncreaseEmotional reactivity
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Age-matched controls
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Cohen's d for emotional reactivity
1.04 Cohen's d
treated girls versus controls, one of two emotional reactivity task conditions
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to controls, treated girls displayed significantly higher emotional reactivity (p = 0.016; Cohen's d = 1.04) on one of the two emotional reactivity task conditions.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate-Decapeptyl SR® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls,
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2746229202
03HumanObservational studyOther
Triptorelin-treated girls with CPP had lower resting heart rates than controls.
In plain wordsGirls treated with triptorelin had lower resting heart rates than controls.
Peptide
Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl)
Outcome
DecreaseResting heart rate
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Age-matched controls
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Cohen's d for resting heart rate
1.03 Cohen's d
CPP group versus controls
Source sentences
Summary
Unexpectedly, the CPP group showed significantly lower resting heart rates than the controls (p = 0.004; Cohen's d = 1.03);
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate-Decapeptyl SR® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls,
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2746229203

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl).

04HumanNot a test of Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl) aloneObservational studyOther
In girls with CPP, longer triptorelin treatment duration was associated with lower heart rate.
In plain wordsIn girls with CPP, longer triptorelin treatment was linked to lower heart rate.
Peptide
Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl)
Outcome
DecreaseHeart rate association with treatment duration
Study
n = 15
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Measurements
Correlation of heart rate with treatment duration
−0.582 r
treated girls with CPP
Source sentences
Summary
lower heart rate was associated with longer treatment duration (r = -0.582, p = 0.037).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate-Decapeptyl SR® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls,
In this study, Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Triptorelin (Trelstar, Decapeptyl).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2746229204

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

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
22 Oct 2026, 02:26 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

Keywords

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.