The AgRP and GH/IGF-1 Axis in Children (NCT05645211) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
The AgRP and GH/IGF-1 Axis in Children
156 participantsStarted 2026-06-10
Plain-language summary
Recent data support the existence of a GH-Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) axis. The neuropeptide AgRP promotes food intake and has important effects on energy homeostasis. Recent evidence suggest that GH stimulates AgRP and AgRP may mediate some of GH's important nutritional and metabolic effects. main goals of this project are to characterize, for the first time, plasma levels of AgRP in children and to determine how these relate to GH and IGF-1 levels, age, body composition, clinical and other endocrine parameters. To accomplish this, we will conduct two studies, one being a cross-sectional study that will measure AgRP levels in 140 healthy children ages 5-17 and the second being a prospective study that will measure the change in plasma AgRP levels in response to GH treatment in 16 children who receive this as part of their clinical care for GH deficiency or short stature.
Who can participate
Age range
5 Years – 17 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Ambulatory male and female children aged 5-17 years
. Normal weight at birth
. Height between the 3rd and 99th percentiles of the mean as per the CDC growth percentiles.
Exclusion criteria
. Genetic defects, chronic illnesses.
. Current prescription medication use
. Use of glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone or medications that may affect the GH-IGF-1 axis within 6 months of study entry.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This study is listed as 'not yet recruiting' — do you know when it's expected to open, and would it make sense for us to wait for it or pursue other options in the meantime?
2Since this trial doesn't appear to involve a treatment but rather measurements of AgRP and IGF-1 levels, what would actually be done to my child during participation, and are there any risks or discomforts involved in providing those blood samples?
3The second part of this study looks at how AgRP levels change with growth hormone therapy — does that mean my child would need to already be on GH treatment to participate, or is GH therapy something we'd be starting as part of the study?
4This trial is listed as Phase NA, which suggests it's observational or exploratory rather than testing a new treatment — so how might participating in this research benefit my child directly, if at all, compared to just following a standard treatment plan?
5Could the findings from this kind of study — linking AgRP to the GH/IGF-1 axis — eventually change how growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed or treated, and is that something worth factoring into our decision about whether to enroll?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Protocol 1: Correlation of Plasma AgRP levels with IGF-1 levels
Timeframe: Baseline (cross-sectional at single time point, no intervention)
2
Protocol 2: Change in plasma AgRP levels with GH therapy