Could stress explain the link between depression and heart disease in menopause?
NCT ID NCT05570721
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at why depression and heart disease often occur together in women going through menopause. Researchers will measure stress-related chemicals and heart rate in 30 women aged 44-55. The goal is to find clues that could lead to better ways to reduce heart disease risk in this group.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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44 to 55 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Women ages 44-55 in the late perimenopause reproductive phase. Perimenopausal status will be determined based on menstrual cycle history. We will enroll women who have had an interval of amenorrhea of at least 60 days but \<1 year consistent with the late menopause transition * Participants in either group may be on antidepressant medications (for any indication), but doses must be stable within 30 days of study participation Exclusion Criteria: * History of bipolar diagnosis or primary psychotic disorder for both groups; prior history of depression in the no-perimenopausal depression group * In the perimenopausal depression group, current depressive symptoms that are "severe" based on score of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) \>25. * Current alcohol or substance use disorder * Current suicidal ideation with intent and history of suicide attempt within 2 years of study participation * Current or recent use of the following medications: 1. Hormonal agents (e.g., hormone replacement therapy or combined oral contraceptive pills)within the past 30 days 2. Oral, inhaled, or injected steroids within the past 90 days 3. Blood pressure medications (e.g., Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors) within the past 90 days 4. Antihistamines within the past two weeks 5. Other medications determined by the study team to impact the RAAS (e.g., spironolactone). * Current cigarette or nicotine use * Current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, type I or II diabetes, or other medical condition which the study team determines could impact study outcomes
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
RECRUITINGChapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States
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