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PCOS and Brain Health Study

This study is looking at how Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects brain health. Researchers want to understand if PCOS changes how blood flows in the brain (Cerebral Blood Flow or CBF), the brain's structure, and how well people perform on thinking tasks. They will enroll 45 women, both with and without PCOS, between the ages of 18 and 45. You would have two visits, including an MRI scan of your brain and other tests. The study aims to see if women with PCOS have reduced CBF or changes in brain structure and thinking abilities compared to women without PCOS. The study's current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 45 participants. It is not specified if the study is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would have two visits, including a 1.5-hour MRI scan (55-60 minutes in the MRI) and a laboratory visit for a DEXA scan, cognitive tests, and an optional exercise test. Your participation would last approximately 5 hours over a 1 to 3 month period.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Primary endpoints, like Cerebral Blood Flow and Circulating Sex Hormone Levels, will be measured at data collected during a 2-hour MRI visit (anytime up to 3 months on study).

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

NCT07727512

PCOS and Brain Health

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–45Observational
University of Wisconsin, Madison
~45 participants
Updated 2026-08-21 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:MRI VisitLaboratory Visit

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) at rest
Measured over data collected during a 2-hour MRI visit (anytime up to 3 months on study)
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

PCOS

Explore related trials

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

NCT07727512

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Wisconsin

    Madison, Wisconsinno site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Laura Cooney, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Madison

Who to contact

Sharon Blohowiak
[email protected]
(608) 262-5977
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Rotterdam criteria demonstrating two out of the three criteria. These are:
Regular menstrual cycles (not meeting criteria for irregular cycles above)
No diagnosis of PCOS
Controls may have isolated hirsutism or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound as long as they do not meet Rotterdam criteria for PCOS

Exclusion

Current pregnancy
Preexisting diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
Severe obesity (body mass index (BMI) greater than 45kg/m2)
Preexisting diagnosis of hypertension requiring antihypertensive medication or blood pressure of greater than 160/100 on two separate occasions during clinical care
History of neurologic disease or stroke
History of myocardial infarction or deep venous thrombosis
Endometriosis confirmed by prior laparoscopy
Autoimmune conditions including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and active malignancy
Immuno-modulating medications
Conditions incompatible with MRI scanning, including but not limited to
Certain implanted metal devices or foreign bodies
Severe claustrophobia
Post-menopausal
Participants will be excluded if they have taken hormonal contraception or fertility medication in the last month

What this trial measures

  • Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) at restdata collected during a 2-hour MRI visit (anytime up to 3 months on study)

    Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) color atlases and 4D Flow MRI will be used to measure CBF at rest. CBF will be measured in each of six brain regions: temporal, parietal, frontal, occipital, subcortical, and brainstem.

  • Circulating Sex Hormone Levelsdata collected during a 2-hour MRI visit (anytime up to 3 months on study)