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Observational Study on Female Sex Hormones and Spinal Neuroplasticity

This observational study is looking at how female sex hormones, specifically estradiol, might affect how your spinal cord changes and adapts (spinal neuroplasticity). Researchers will use a device called Magstim Rapid2 to gently stimulate nerves and measure how your spinal circuits respond. The study aims to understand these changes in healthy young women and men. They are looking for healthy individuals between 18 and 39 years old, including women with regular monthly cycles. The main goals are to see how spinal circuit excitability, motor neuron excitability, and spinal reflexes change after certain stimulations. The current recruitment status is unclear, but they plan to enroll 50 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 50 healthy participants. It is not specified if the study is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would undergo measurements of spinal circuit excitability, motor neuron excitability, and spinal reflex expression at baseline and 60 minutes after peripheral nerve stimulation or priming.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements are taken at baseline and 60 minutes after stimulation or priming.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06656819

The Modulatory Effect of Female Sex Hormones on Spinal Neuroplasticity

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–39Observational
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
~50 participants
Updated 2026-03-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Magstim Rapid2

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Spinal circuit excitability
Measured over Baseline 1, Post-60mins after peripheral nerve stimulation
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Healthy

Explore related trials

Healthy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Yasin Dhaher, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Who to contact

Yu-Chen Chung, PT, Ph.D.
[email protected]
214-648-8838
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 18-39 years
Eumenorrheic (regular monthly cycles of 24-35 days)
Moderately active (less than 7 hours of vigorous physical activity per week)
History of pregnancy is allowed if patient is in post-lactation phase
Ages 18-39
Moderately active (less than 7 hours of vigorous physical activity per week)

Exclusion

History of musculoskeletal or orthopedic injury of the spine, hip, knee, ankle or foot
History of neurological injury of the peripheral or central nervous system
Current smoker
History of disordered eating
History of stress fracture in the lower limb
History of a connective tissue disorder (Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos disease)
Pacemaker, metal implants in the head and spine region
Pregnancy
On a hormonal contraceptive regimen (oral, transdermal or vaginal)
History of menstrual dysfunction (primary or secondary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulatory cycles, polycystic ovarian disease)
Started or stopped taking oral contraceptives within the previous 6 months
Exercise vigorously more than 7 hours per week or currently participating in competitive level sports.
History of musculoskeletal or orthopedic injury of the spine, hip, knee, ankle or foot
History of neurological injury of the peripheral or central nervous system
Current smoker
History of disordered eating
History of stress fracture in the lower limb
History of a connective tissue disorder (Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos disease)
Pacemaker, metal implants in the head and spine region

What this trial measures

  • Change in Spinal circuit excitabilityBaseline 1, Post-60mins after peripheral nerve stimulation

    Change in Spinal circuit excitability will be assessed by measuring Hoffmann reflex/ M wave ratio of the soleus muscle. Higher scores indicate poorer outcome.

  • Change in Motor neuron excitabilityBaseline 2, Post-60mins after priming

    Changes in motor neuron excitability, as quantified by Delta-F values.

  • Change in spinal reflex expressionBaseline 2, Post-60mins after priming
  • Change in descending drive mediated motor primingBaseline 2, Post-60mins after priming