And It's About Time There Was Some Support For Cushing's!
Compiled From the Weekly Email Newsletters
Other Years 2008 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
For purposes of this list the year 2007 started with the April 18, 2007 newsletter. For New Items prior to that newsletter, please see the News Items and Research Forum of the message boards
Type | Subject | Date |
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Acromegaly |
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Growing feet could mean tumour In more than 90 per cent of acromegaly cases the over-production of growth hormone is caused by a benign tumour on the pituitary gland.... This Topic on the Message Boards |
Manchester Evening News | 4/17/2007 |
Acromegaly Masquerading as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Renner, Matthew MD., et al. – This case describes a growth hormone-prolactin, cosecreting pituitary microadenoma that presented with chronic, hyperandrogenic anovulation. A 37-year-old parous patient presented with 1 year of irregular cycles unresponsive to clomiphene citrate and a mildly elevated prolactin. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated hyperprolactinemia with an elevated, age-adjusted, insulin-like growth factor-1 level, and nonsuppressed growth hormone following glucose loading This Topic on the Message Boards |
The Endocrinologist | 4/13/2007 |
Adrenal |
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Dehydroepiandrosterone Induces a Neuroendocrine Phenotype in Nerve Growth Factor-Stimulated Chromaffin Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells
In summary, our data show that DHEA influences cell survival and differentiation processes in PC12 cells, possibly by interacting with the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway. DHEA drives NGF-stimulated cells toward a neuroendocrine phenotype, suggesting that the interaction of intraadrenal steroids and growth factors is required for the maintenance of an intact adrenal medulla... |
Endo Journals | December 21, 2007 |
Adrenal Insufficiency in Critical Illness One of the more controversial areas in critical care in recent decades relates to the issue of adrenal insufficiency and its treatment in critically ill patients. There is no consensus on which patients to test for adrenal insufficiency, which tests to use and how to interpret them, whether to use corticosteroids, and, if so, who to treat and with what dose. This review illustrates the complexity and diversity of pathophysiological changes in glucocorticoid secretion, metabolism, and action and how these are affected by various types of illness. It will review adrenal function testing and give guidance on corticosteroid replacement regimens based on current published literature. There remain inherent difficulties in interpreting the effects of glucocorticoid replacement during critical illness because of the diversity of effects of glucocorticoids on various tissues. Investigation and treatment will depend on whether the likely cause of corticosteroid insufficiency is adrenal or central in origin. Key Words: corticosteroids • hydrocortisone • cortisol • sepsis • adrenal insufficiency • Addison's disease |
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine | November 30, 2007 |
Pheochromocytoma and Extraadrenal Abdominal Paraganglioma Conclusion: Carbidopa enhances the sensitivity of 18F-DOPA PET for adrenal pheochromocytomas and extraadrenal abdominal paragangliomas by increasing the tumor-to-background ratio of tracer uptake. The sensitivity of 18F-DOPA PET for metastases of paraganglioma appears to be limited.... |
Journal of Nuclear Medicine | October 2, 2007 |
The Adrenal Glands In some cases, an adrenal tumor can cause excess production of hormones. Patients may experience severe headaches, anxiety, palpitations, sweating, and a rapid heart rate. Overproduction of cortisol can lead to the development of Cushing's syndrome, a condition characterized by obesity, high blood pressure, high glucose levels, menstrual problems, fragile skin and stretch marks. Excess production of aldosterone can cause high blood pressure and low potassium levels... |
WSOCTV | September 28, 2007 |
Bilateral Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy For Corticotropin-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome: A Review of the Mayo Clinic Experience There has been a rapid shift from open to laparoscopic approaches in adrenal surgery, but the safety and efficacy of bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy (BLA) in patients with corticotropin (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome continues to be defined... |
Mayo Clinic | September 27, 2007 |
Travel to India for Adrenal Surgery This article describes about the Adrenal Surgery in India. Many patients travel across the globe to India to get low cost adrenal surgery; explore the need for patients to do so and what sets apart India as the Medical Hub of the World... |
Scribd | September 27, 2007 |
An Update on the Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency and the Use of Corticotherapy in Critical Illness Recently, inaccuracies in measuring cortisol have been identified, making interpretation of cortisol concentrations difficult. A large-scale study failed to confirm a previously reported mortality benefit of corticotherapy in late ARDS, but preliminary data suggest a role for steroid treatment in early ARDS. Finally, a pilot study has found that hydrocortisone lowers morbidity and mortality in SCAP... |
theannals.com | August 15, 2007 |
Improved Detection and Characterization of Adrenal Disease with PET-CT1 Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) combines complementary modalities, thereby providing useful structural and functional information for the detection and characterization of a variety of conditions affecting the adrenal gland.... |
RadioGraphics | 5/16/2007 |
Reduced Final Height Outcome in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia under Prednisone Treatment: Deceleration of Growth Velocity during Puberty Conclusion: Patients with CAH are able to achieve adequate FH with conventional therapy. Total pubertal growth is significantly decreased, and treatment with prednisone results in decreased FH. In addition to biochemical analysis, treatment should be adjusted to normal growth velocity, especially during puberty. |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | 5/5/2007 |
Adrenalectomy In The Laparoscopic Era There were 82 adrenalectomies performed over the 12 year period. Sixty-one were completed laparoscopically, 17 were performed open and four were converted from a laparoscopic to an open procedure. The indications for surgery included 30 phaeochromocytomas, 20 non-functioning cortical adenomas, 9 aldosteronomas, 6 cortisol-producing adenomas, 3 adrenocortical carcinomas, 3 pseudocysts, 3 cortical hyperplasias, 2 cortical cysts, and one each of heamangioma, angiolipoma, myelolipoma, haematoma, lymphoma and adrenal metastasis... |
ANZ Journal of Surgery | 5/4/2007 |
Hospital's blunder left me in bed for a year This is done to check how well a patient's adrenal glands, the part of the body which produces adrenaline, are working. When the test results were returned, ... |
York Press | 4/19/2007 |
Researchers Identify Thousands With Curable High Blood Pressure Adrenal venous sampling being performed on a patient with primary aldosteronism to distinguish unilateral (surgically correctable) from bilateral forms. ... |
University of Queensland | 4/18/2007 |
Adrenal Gland Volume and Dexamethasone-Suppressed Cortisol Correlate with Total Daily Salivary Cortisol in African-American Women | Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
4/15/2007 |
Cancer |
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Presence of Multiple Carcinoid Tumorlets in Lung Linked to Good Survival The appearance of multiple carcinoid tumors -- or "tumorlets" -- on lung specimens is associated with "excellent" long-term survival and usually only mild airflow limitation, investigators report in the June issue of Chest. Dr. Marie-Christine Aubry and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, systematically analyzed the significance of multiple carcinoid tumors or tumorlets in a series of 294 patients being treated at the Mayo Clinic between 1987 and 2000. There were 28 patients with two or more tumors or tumorlets, and 26 of the 28 were women. Mean age was 65 years. Mean follow-up was 66 months. Seventeen patients had multiple nodules. Nine of the 17 had stable disease with no growth in residual small indeterminate nodules. Nearly half of patients with multiple nodules had respiratory problems. Two had Cushing's syndrome... |
Chest | July 14, 2007 |
Cortisol |
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Does Stress Cause Disease? It Doesn't Help, Reviewers Say Cortisol, the primary effector of HPA activation in humans, regulates a broad range of physiological processes, including anti-inflammatory responses; metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; and gluconeogenesis... |
MedPage Today | October 11, 2007 |
Measurement of Salivary Cortisol Concentration in the Assessment of Adrenal Function in Critically Ill Subjects: A Surrogate Marker of the Circulating Free Cortisol Conclusions: Salivary cortisol measurements are simple to obtain, easy to measure in most laboratories, and provide an indirect yet reliable and practical assessment of the serum free cortisol concentrations during critical illnesses. The concentrations of the two measures of unbound cortisol determined in two different body fluids correlated very well, regardless of the serum protein concentrations. Measurements of salivary cortisol can serve as a surrogate marker for the free cortisol in the circulation... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | August 7, 2007 |
Associations of Salivary Cortisol With Cognitive Function in the Baltimore Memory Study Conclusions Elevated cortisol was associated with poorer cognitive function across a range of domains in this large population-based study. We believe the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation may be a risk factor for poorer cognitive performance in older persons... |
Arch Gen Psychiatry | July 4, 2007 |
Ketoconozole: Experimental Drug Improves Glycemic Control, Lipids in Type 2 Diabetes: Presented at ENDO Dr. Welles noted that ketoconazole, a racemic combination of two enantiomers, has been used to treat cortisol excess in patients with Cushing's syndrome, the results of which have led to improved insulin resistance, glycemic control, lipid measures, and blood pressure... |
Endo 2007 | June 4, 2007 |
Mother's stress harms foetus, research shows Cortisol in Pregnancy |
Guardian Unlimited | May 31, 2007 |
The Use of Cortisol as an Early Marker for Acute Myocardial
Infarction in an Emergency Department Setting
Conclusions |
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine | 4/28/2007 |
Scientists Unravel Clue in Cortisol Production When a person's under stress or injured, the adrenal gland releases cortisol to help restore the body's functions to normal. But the hormone's effects are many and varied, lowering the activity of the immune system, helping create memories with short-term exposure, while impairing learning if there's too much for too long. Given the variety of its effects, understanding how cortisol is made is essential to producing medications that can alter its production... |
NIH and Georgia Tech | 4/24/2007 |
Cortisone |
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DuoCort
AB: DuoCort announces Phase I Data Presentation at the European Congress of
Endocrinology About
dual-release hydrocortisone |
DuoCort | 4/28/2007 |
Cushing's |
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Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Begins Trading On OTC Bulletin Board Under Ticker Symbol SPHC
Samaritan has partnered its Phase II/III oral HIV viral-entry inhibitor drug. Its promising memory-restoring Alzheimer's drug Caprospinol expects to enter a Phase I clinical trial after acute toxicity study and its High Stress Cortisol drug to counteract Cushing's disease expects to enter Phase II clinical trials... |
CNN Money | December 18, 2007 |
A ‘smart’ type of Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome results from lengthy and inappropriate exposure to excessive concentrations of either endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids. This case report describes a patient with a novel type of Cushing's syndrome due to the use of party drugs. A 35-year-old woman had gained 8 kg body weight in 5 months and complained of anxiety. She showed a Cushing-like appearance and mild hypertension (blood pressure, BP 150/95 mmHg). She reported daily use of increasing doses of {gamma}-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a popular party drug. ACTH plasma levels were in the upper normal range (41 ng/l), with normal plasma cortisol (0.36 µmol/l). She showed an abnormal overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (cortisol 0.38 µmol/l). The urinary excretion of free cortisol in 24 h was also increased (0.47 µmol/24 h). CT scanning of the abdomen showed normal adrenals. After stopping GHB intake she lost 7 kg body weight and her BP normalized (BP 135/80 mmHg). GHB is a popular party drug in the Netherlands, but it is also used as a narcotic and for the treatment of narcolepsy. We hypothesize that GHB may bind to the pituitary gland {gamma}-aminobutyric acid-B receptors leading to ACTH overproduction. |
European Journal of Endocrinology | December 17, 2007 |
False-positive inferior petrosal sinus sampling in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease
Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in patients with Cushing’s syndrome has become a useful method to distinguish ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors (Cushing’s disease) from other causes of the syndrome, principally ectopic adrenocorticotropin secretion by an occult tumor. Although the test is generally regarded as highly specific, the authors recently encountered two patients whose IPSS measurements were falsepositive for Cushing’s disease. The results of IPSS suggested a pituitary origin of ACTH secretion in both patients, but transsphenoidal surgery failed to disclose a pituitary adenoma or to improve postoperative plasma cortisol levels. Both patients subsequently were found to have an ACTH-secreting carcinoid tumor of the lung. The false-positive IPSS studies were due to periodic hormonogenesis. The patients must be hypercortisolemic at the time IPSS is performed for the study to be valid. KEY WORDS • Cushing’s syndrome • Cushing’s disease • inferior petrosal sinus sampling • carcinoid tumor |
Journal of Neurosurgery | December 17, 2007 |
Food-dependent Cushing's syndrome: from molecular characterization to therapeutical results N M Albiger, G Occhi, B Mariniello, M Iacobone1, G Favia1, A Fassina2, D Faggian3, F Mantero and C Scaroni
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Endocrinology Unit, University of Padua, via Ospedale 105, 35128 Padua, Italy, Departments of 1 Endocrine Surgery, 2 Pathology and 3 Laboratory Medicine,, University of Padua, 1-3: Giustiniani, 35128. Padua, Italy (Correspondence should be addressed to N M Albiger; Email: nalbiger@yahoo.com) AbstractObjective: Cortisol secretion in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) may be regulated by the aberrant expression of several G-protein-coupled receptors. Bilateral adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice in most cases. We searched for aberrant receptor expression in a patient with AIMAH and evaluated the response to medical and surgical treatment. Patient: A 35-year-old woman with amenorrhea, hirsutism, and hypertension presented ACTH-independent cortisol secretion with high androgen levels. Abdominal computed tomography showed bilateral adrenal macronodules (4.5 cm right and 1.0 cm left). Scintigraphy with I131-norcholesterol showed bilateral uptake, prevalent on the right side. Several in vivo stimulation tests were assessed before and after treatment and in vitro studies were performed after unilateral adrenalectomy. Results: Plasma cortisol increased after a standard meal test (60%) and oral glucose loading (147%), and the response was blunted by pretreatment with 100 µg s.c. octreotide. The therapy with long-acting release octreotide (octreotide-LAR) showed an improvement in urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels. Unilateral adrenalectomy was performed and histopathology revealed macronodular AIMAH. Cortisol and androgens increased after perifusion of tumoral tissue with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and GIP and LH-receptor overexpression was found in both the adrenal nodules and the adjacent cortex. After surgery, UFC and androgen levels normalized followed by clinical improvement. Conclusions: GIP and LH-receptor expression may coexist in AIMAH, influencing the functional and morphological phenotype. Aberrant hormone receptor expression enables specific pharmacological treatment, but long-term studies are needed to evaluate its real efficacy. Unilateral adrenalectomy may be a safe initial option, particularly for asymmetric bilateral adrenal enlargements. |
European Journal of Endocrinology | December 11, 2007 |
Patients With Mild Cushing Syndrome May Benefit From Adrenalectomy Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that patients with a mild form of Cushing syndrome, a metabolic disorder caused by adrenal tumors, demonstrate substantial clinical improvement after adrenalectomy.
The study, appearing in the December issue of the journal Surgery, is the largest series of surgical outcomes reported in patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome to date, said Dr. Richard Auchus, associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern and co-author of the study. "We don't have enough data to come out with a definitive statement that everyone with an adrenal tumor and mild cortisol excess should have the adrenal tumor removed," Dr. Auchus said. "We can say, however, that there are many people with large adrenal tumors who, while not meeting classical criteria for Cushing syndrome, nonetheless suffer from the hormonal disorder and will benefit from surgery." |
medicalnewstoday.com | December 10, 2007 |
Cushing's syndrome in women with polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism
A 41-year-old woman presented to an endocrinology–gynecology clinic having been diagnosed 7 years earlier with polycystic ovarian syndrome on account of hirsutism, subfertility, greasy skin, acne and multiple ovarian cysts. Ovulation induction had led to a successful pregnancy. Subfertility recurred, however, and persisted alongside a new diagnosis of hypertension and progressive weight gain. Upon examination, the patient was hypertensive with facial plethora, rounded facies and violaceous abdominal striae... This Topic on the Message Boards |
Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism (2007) | November 28, 2007 |
Open Mouths, Open Minds It's not difficult to find serious grievances from fat patients. On one new blog, First, Do No Harm, a woman with Cushing's Syndrome, a muscle-wasting disease that turns muscle to fat, says she was told that she just needed to go on a diet.... |
Valley Advocate | November 1, 2007 |
Articles from The Journal of Neurosurgery, September 2007 Volume 23, Number 3
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Journal of Neurosurgery | October 31, 2007 |
Genetics of Adrenal Tumors Associated With Cushing's Syndrome: A New Classification for Bilateral Adrenocortical Hyperplasias Adrenocortical causes of Cushing's syndrome include isolated and sporadic adenoma causes as well as rare carcinoma causes and bilateral hyperplasias. The classification of various forms of adrenal hyperplasias can be based on histologic, biochemical, and genetic features... |
MedScape | October 26, 2007 |
Cyclical Cushing's syndrome: an update Summary: Cyclical Cushing's syndrome is a pattern of hypercortisolism in which the biochemistry of cortisol production fluctuates rhythmically. This syndrome is often associated with fluctuating symptoms and signs. This type of case was initially thought to be rare. It has, however, recently been recognized as occurring much more frequently. The phenomenon is important because it can, if not recognized, lead to errors in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the syndrome and in assessment of therapeutic outcomes. All of these can have very serious clinical consequences. Clinical researchers, including ourselves, have developed criteria, protocols and dynamic biochemical tools to detect cycling in patients with hypercortisolism. Unfortunately, the mechanisms causing the abnormal pathophysiology have not been well elucidated but some recent insights have been gained. The review discusses strateges for diagnosing and managing this important subgroup of patients with hypercortisolism... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity | October 8, 2007 |
PDE11A as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Inherited Form of Cushing Syndrome and Endocrine Tumors Cushing Syndrome, a disorder associated with excess production of a steroid hormone, cortisol, affects up to 10 per 15 million people every year. Cushing Syndrome may be caused by several reasons such as cortisol-producing endocrine tumors and can be inherited in some instances. Surgery of the adrenal tumor is the most common method of treatment. New diagnostic and therapeutic approaches need to be developed for successful management of the disease... |
NIH | October 6, 2007 |
Alopecia or Why People Go Bald Among women the cause of hair loss can be an hyper-sensitivity to male hormones or their increased amount in the body because of the following diseases: polycystic ovaries, congenital dysfunction of cortex of adrenal glands, Cushing syndrome, tumours of adrenal glands and ovaries... |
EditorsChoice | October 2, 2007 |
Steroid withdrawal syndrome after successful treatment of Cushing's syndrome: a reminder Steroid withdrawal syndrome (SWS) usually refers to relapse of the disease being treated after withdrawal of glucocorticoid therapy, or the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency which occur when glucocorticoids are rapidly reduced or stopped. A less well-recognised form of SWS is that which develops when patients experience a symptom complex similar to that of adrenal insufficiency despite acceptable cortisol levels. We describe three patients who presented with this form of SWS following surgical treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome... |
Department of Endocrinology, Manchester Royal Infirmary | September 20, 2007 |
Cushing's Syndrome - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Cushing's syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Sometimes called "hypercortisolism. It is relatively rare and most commonly affects person aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to15 of every million people are affected each year. Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases, or for immunosuppression after transplantation... |
ArticlesBase.com | August 14, 2007 |
11th Doctor Sees 'Ghost' The endocrinologist said he was fairly sure Silverman had Cushing's disease, a rare disorder that strikes about one in 500,000 Americans. Cushing's results in the overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, which can wreak havoc with multiple organ systems. Silverman, Lipson recalled, had the round "moon face" that characterizes patients with Cushing's or those on high doses of corticosteroids. Many of her other symptoms were classic manifestations of the disease. The usual cause is a nonmalignant tumor on the pituitary gland at the base of the brain... |
Washington Post | August 14, 2007 |
CORLUX for the treatment of Cushing's Syndrome, orphan drug designation Corcept is still determining its development plan for Corlux for evaluating the use of Corlux for the treatment of Cushing's Syndrome. However, an Investigational New Drug (IND) application will be submitted to the FDA in the near future, a necessary step to begin clinical trials. While the market opportunity for Cushing's Syndrome may be small compared with that of psychotic depression, and may not be realized for several years, the granting of Orphan Drug status from the FDA provides reason to believe that Corlux may have significant value beyond PMD... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | August 14, 2007 |
Dexamethasone-Suppressed Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Stimulation Test for Diagnosis of Mild Hypercortisolism Conclusions: Our results differ from previous studies because our data suggest that when using the combined dexamethasone-suppressed CRH stimulation test, a 15-min post-CRH ACTH value greater than 27 pg/ml (5.9 pmol/liter) had the highest diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CS. However, the sensitivity and specificity for this test were not statistically different from the sensitivity and specificity of other tests, such as those measuring post-CRH stimulated ACTH levels or post-CRH cortisol levels at other time points. Therefore, clinicians should be cautious about interpretation of suppression and stimulation tests in the diverse population of patients with hypercortisolism... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | August 9, 2007 |
Georgetown University and Samaritan Sign Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Novel Treatment of Cushing's Syndrome Samaritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:LIV), a developer of innovative drugs, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Georgetown University for a new innovative drug SP-6300 to treat Cushing's syndrome... |
Georgetown University | August 9, 2007 |
Preliminary Experience with 3-Tesla MRI and Cushing's Disease Because radiographic visualization of a pituitary microadenoma is frequently difficult, we hypothesized that microadenomas associated with Cushing's disease may be better resolved and localized via acquisition with 3-Tesla (3T) compared with standard 1.5-Tesla (1.5T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)... |
Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. | August 8, 2007 |
Updated info: Screening Of Cushing's Syndrome In Adult Patients Newly Diagnosed To Have Diabetes Mellitus Conclusions: The results of the present study support the view that unknown CS is not rare among patients with diabetes mellitus. This is the first demonstration that screening for CS may be feasible at the clinical onset of diabetes in an unselected cohort of patients. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of CS may give the opportunity to improve the prognosis of diabetes. Full Text PDF (73 KB) (Subscription) |
Clinical Endocrinology | August, 2007 |
Doug's fight for veterans of nuclear testing Doug himself, who spent a year on Christmas Island, suffers from bone spurs and in 1977 lost daughter Gill when she was just 13 to a rare form of cancer called Cushing's Syndrome, something he believes was passed directly down through his genes.... |
Spalding Today | June 13, 2007 |
The Application of the Combined Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone plus Desmopressin Stimulation during Petrosal Sinus Sampling Is Both Sensitive and Specific in Differentiating Patients with Cushing's Disease from Patients with the Occult Ectopic Adrenocorticotropin Syndrome Conclusions: The application of a combined stimulation with CRH plus desmopressin during BIPSS is associated with a high sensitivity but no loss of specificity. |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | June 7, 2007 |
7 medical reasons you may be gaining weight 3. Cushing's syndrome
What is it? Also known as hypercortisolism, this rare condition means there is too much of the hormone cortisol in the adrenal glands. Cortisol normally helps regulate blood pressure and metabolism. While weight gain is a big red flag, tiredness and troubles with the skin (bruises last longer than usual, for example) are also signs. While both children and adults can develop hypercortisolism, it's more common in women aged 25 to 45 years.
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Homemakers.com | June 2, 2007 |
"Miraculous Miranda"
"Donna Renfro was living a parent's nightmare. Her five year old daughter was going to die without a medical breakthrough to save her from a rare disease. Desperate and distraught, Donna started keeping a diary which chronicled her uphill journey. |
VolunteerTV | 5/23/2007 |
Reaching out to children carers The family, from Crawcrook, Gateshead, have suffered a string of medical setbacks over the past few years - Jenny was struck with Cushing's syndrome, which caused excessive weight gain and diabetes, had a brain tumour removed in 2000 and cannot walk very far due to arthritis in her leg.... |
icNewcastle | 5/21/2007 |
ACTH-independant macronodular adrenal hyperplasia: imaging findings of a rare condition : A case report. Endogenous Cushing's syndrome is a relatively rare disease. Most cases being ACTH-dependent, ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome (AICS) is an even rarer condition [15%-20%]. In more than 95% cases the cause of AICS is unilateral adrenal enlargement caused by adenoma or carcinoma. Bilateral adrenal disease is caused by primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD) and ACTH-independent macro nodular hyperplasia (AIMAH). Only few case reports of the latter condition exist in the radiology literature, PPNAD being the commoner of two as the cause for AICS. |
SpringerLink | 5/18/2007 |
Sugar Hill mom educates about Cushing's syndrome The mean basal plasma ACTH and FCI were higher and CBG was lower in thyrotoxic patients in comparison with controls. The peak cortisol was less than 18 µg/dl in 10 of 29 and 14 of 29 on 250 and 1 µg ACTH1–24 stimulation. Peak FCI was subnormal only in three of 27 (11.1%) and two of 21 (7.4%) on 250 and 1 µg ACTH1–24 stimulation, respectively. The mean plasma ACTH, basal FCI, and subnormal peak FCI (two of the three) normalized after euthyroidism. Plasma ACTH and FCI did not correlate with severity of thyrotoxicosis... |
Triple Crown Media, Inc | 5/16/2007 |
What's Wrong with Doctors
He describes, for example, Thomas, a previously fit seventy-two-year-old man, who one day was found to have a cancer in his left kidney. The tumor was removed surgically but, instead of Thomas's recovering, his entire body began to swell. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce steroid hormone. No matter what his doctors did, they could not stop the hormone from pouring into his bloodstream. Thomas became sicker and sicker. He could not walk and he had recurrent episodes of pneumonia.
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New York Review of Books | 5/11/2007 |
Prom night gives these seriously ill teens a huge lift Hospitalized for more than a month last summer, she's been diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, a condition that causes weight gain, fatigue, depression and mood swings, among other symptoms... |
SeattlePi | 5/4/2007 |
Family's despair over rare disease THE family of a Chippenham man who died of a rare hormonal disorder have told of the despair his illness caused before it was diagnosed.... |
Wiltshire News | 4/29/2007 |
Improved Quality of Life After Bilateral Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for
Cushing's Disease: A 10-Year Experience.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy for symptomatic Cushing's disease is a safe and effective treatment option. The majority of patients experience considerable improvement in their Cushing's disease symptoms, and their quality of life equals that of patients initially cured by transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. |
Annals of Surgery | 4/28/2007 |
Adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent Cushing's syndrome Summary: A better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in adrenocortical tumors and hyperplasias may lead to improved diagnostic and prognostic markers and treatment strategies to assist clinicians in the management of corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome. |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity | 4/27/2007 |
Novartis Expands Late-stage Oncology
Pipeline With AS1404, a Novel Agent Shown to Break Down Blood Vessels That
Support Tumor Growth In addition to AS1404, other compounds include RAD001 (multiple tumors) SOM230 (Cushing's disease/refractory carcinoid tumors, acromegaly), LBH589 (chronic ... |
Novartis | 4/19/2007 |
Diabetes |
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Both slow-release and regular-form metformin improve glycemic control without altering plasma visfatin level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Both slow-release (SR) and regular-release (RR) metformin were effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We compare the efficacy, safety, and effects on serum adipocytokines and inflammatory markers of both regimens in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study enrolled 55 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which were randomly assigned to receive either metformin SR or RR (at a maximal dosage of 2000 mg/d for 12 weeks). Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, adipocytokines, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cell function were measured before and after treatment. Significant decreases (P < .001) in mean HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels were observed in each group. However, the mean changes in HbA1c from baseline to end point in the 2 groups were not significantly different. Changes in metabolic parameters were similar except that a decreased total cholesterol level was observed in the metformin RR group. Neither regimen treatment had any influence on insulin resistance, but metformin RR improved beta-cell function. Neither regimen had an effect on serum adipocytokines or inflammatory markers. Once-daily metformin SR was as safe and effective as metformin RR in type 2 diabetic patients. Neither dosage form affected serum adipocytokines and inflammatory markers. |
Metabolism | July 16, 2007 |
Primary Aldosteronism Common in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Resistant Hypertension According to the authors of the current study, 20 million people in the United States have diabetes and another 50 million have hypertension, and diabetes and hypertension coexist in 40% to 60% of patients with type 2 diabetes with a 1.5- to 3-times increase in prevalence vs patients without diabetes. Furthermore, 50% of patients with diabetes have hypertension at the time of diagnosis. The American Diabetes Association has recommended a blood pressure goal of 130/80 mm Hg or lower for adults with diabetes, and 10% to 30% of individuals with diabetes are believed to have resistant hypertension... |
Medscape | July 4, 2007 |
Study shows Diachrome improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, Patented combo of Chromium Picolinate and Biotin Uncontrolled, obese and overweight type 2 diabetes patients present an ongoing clinical challenge to health professionals. Prescribing another anti-diabetic medication can increase the risk of unwanted side effects, including weight gain or hypoglycemic events, and could place an added financial burden on the patient,” said Cesar Albarracin, MD, lead investigator and a leader in the field of nutritional management of type 2 diabetes. “This study shows that adding Diachrome to anti-diabetic medications can help patients reach their blood sugar goal simply, effectively and safely... |
EurekAlert | June 4, 2007 |
Congress Briefed on Self-Management of Chronic Illness Research More than 45 percent of adults struggle with a chronic health condition that affects their daily activities. From diabetes to asthma, heart disease, depression, obesity, and AIDS, more and more Americans are living with chronic illnesses. More than 90 million Americans live with one or more chronic illness; at least 22 million live with three chronic illnesses. Coping with a complex chronic illness such as diabetes affects the individual as well as family members throughout the entire lifespan... |
Coalition for the Advancement of Health Through Behavioral and Social Science Research (CAHT-BSSR) | 5/26/2007 |
Screening Of Cushing's Syndrome In Adult Patients Newly Diagnosed To Have Diabetes Mellitus Conclusions: The results of the present study support the view that unknown CS is not rare among patients with diabetes mellitus. This is the first demonstration that screening for CS may be feasible at the clinical onset of diabetes in an unselected cohort of patients. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of CS may give the opportunity to improve the prognosis of diabetes. Full Text PDF (73 KB) (Subscription) |
Clinical Endocrinology | 4/12/2007 |
Growth Hormone |
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Growth hormone replacement throughout life: Insights into age-related responses to treatment The adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) syndrome is a well-defined clinical entity. Although the symptoms of GHD are not age specific, their relative importance differs depending on the patient’s age, and the impact of GHD varies throughout adult life... |
Growth Hormone & IGF Research | October 1, 2007 |
Clinical Implications of Residual Growth Hormone (GH) Response to Provocative Testing in Adults with Severe GH Deficiency Conclusions: This study provides further observational data of substitution therapy in GH-deficient adults with pituitary adenomas. Comparing long-term surgical results, we found no evidence that GH substitution should be withheld in deficient patients. Even residual tumour does not constitute a contraindication to GH replacement. However, since pituitary tumours are slow growing, an observational period of 5 years may not have been long enough to verify any absolute influence on recurrence potential... |
European Journal of Endocrinology | July 31, 2007 |
Clinical Implications of Residual Growth Hormone (GH) Response to Provocative Testing in Adults with Severe GH Deficiency Even in adult severe GHD, GH release appears to be regulated by factors defined to play an important role in normal GH secretion. The impact of very low GH release on IGF-I and lipid parameters indicates a persistent physiological role of low GH concentrations in severely affected patients with GHD... |
Shreveport Times | July 16, 2007 |
The Diagnosis of Partial Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults with a Putative Insult to the Hypothalamo-Pituitary Axis Conclusion: The diagnosis of GHI in an individual is extremely difficult because the patients rarely exhibit additional pituitary hormone deficits, and levels of GH-dependent proteins are normal in the majority. Diagnosis relies heavily on GH stimulation tests and requires two tests in all patients to define GHI; obesity when present is potentially a major confounder. |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | 5/2/2007 |
Aging: Disease or Business Opportunity?
Medical research has tended to support the view that growth hormone's risks outweigh any potential anti-aging benefits. Under federal law, the substance is illegal to use except for treating childhood growth disorders, AIDS and a rare adult hormone deficiency. But Dr. Klatz and Dr. Goldman have argued that aging is a disease that causes the pituitary gland to gradually produce less growth hormone. Therefore, they say in books, articles and speeches that hormone replacement therapy at low doses is legal and beneficial in “properly diagnosed deficient adults.” |
New York Times | 4/15/2007 |
Hirsuitism |
Female facial hair can be hormone-related Rarer causes of hirsuitism include adrenal gland overactivity, tumors of the adrenal gland or ovary, pituitary gland tumors and some prescription medicines... |
TimesFreePress | July 4, 2007 |
Hormones |
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Samuel L. Leonard, Hormone Researcher Dr. Leonard was still a graduate student when he began his studies of sex hormones, produced at the base of the brain in the pituitary gland. In the 1930s, in the infancy of endocrinology, it was known that the anterior pituitary had a general role in stimulating the ovaries and the testes. Dr. Leonard, then a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin, working with F. L. Hisaw, his thesis adviser, and H. L. Fevold, determined that the pituitary actually produces two hormones with distinct effects on the sexual organs. The researchers labeled the first hormone FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone; the second they called LH, or luteinizing hormone, which is critical in the production of testosterone in men and can help trigger ovulation in women.... |
New York Times | November 23, 2007 |
When hormones go haywire, life can be hell The majority of our hormones are produced in the 11 glands dotted about the body. These regulate everything from sex drive to hair growth. The symptoms of glandular disorders are wide-ranging, which means the true cause of the patient's illness can often go undiagnosed. Here we offer a guide to the most common conditions, their causes and treatment... |
Daily News, UK | August 8, 2007 |
Menopause |
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Abnormal Uterine
Bleeding May Be Best Evaluated by Menopausal Status |
Medscape | 4/17/2007 |
Osteoporosis |
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Seven Common Myths About Osteoporosis "Certain kidney diseases, vitamin D deficiency, some hormonal diseases such as some thyroid disorders, Cushing's syndrome, individuals who are treated with steroids for certain medical conditions, and certain types of cancer can contribute to osteoporosis," she says... |
University of Michigan | 5/8/2007 |
PCOS |
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Lower Levels of Urinary 2-Hydroxyestrogens in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Conclusions: Urinary 2-hydroxyestrogen is decreased in subjects with PCOS, which could be due in part to increased ovarian expression of COMT. Further studies are needed to ascertain the role of estrogen metabolism in PCOS before this information can be used in clinical settings... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | August 8, 2007 |
Cedars-Sinai endocrine researchers to discuss gene that may be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Women with PCOS have many small cysts on the periphery of the ovaries and suffer from symptoms that include menstrual irregularities, excess weight, skin problems and an excess of male-type hair growth called hirsutism. These women also are often found to have insulin resistance, a condition that allows high levels of insulin to circulate in the blood, which increases risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease... |
SpiritIndia | June 2, 2007 |
Acromegaly Masquerading as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Renner, Matthew MD., et al. – This case describes a growth hormone-prolactin, cosecreting pituitary microadenoma that presented with chronic, hyperandrogenic anovulation. A 37-year-old parous patient presented with 1 year of irregular cycles unresponsive to clomiphene citrate and a mildly elevated prolactin. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated hyperprolactinemia with an elevated, age-adjusted, insulin-like growth factor-1 level, and nonsuppressed growth hormone following glucose loading This Topic on the Message Boards |
The Endocrinologist | 4/13/2007 |
Pituitary Tumor |
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Patient's Symptoms Of Cushing's Disease Beginning To Abate After Endoscopic Pituitary Cure
BrendaW wrotes: "This is an excellent article that not only describes this type of surgery (endoscopic) and its seemingly effortless recovery, but offers fairly clear explanations of several areas of concern for Cushing's patients. For example, the difference between Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome, why the levels of Cortisol in our bodies can mean a rise or fall in aches and pains, and a brief description/recommendation of LA's prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical Center..." |
medicalnewstoday.com | November 29, 2007 |
No Scalpel In Hand, (UVa) Surgeons Treat Gamma Knife Patient
Gingras, who resides in Johnson City, TN, suffers from a pituitary tumor that has caused him to develop Cushing's disease, a rare disorder that over-stimulates hormone production in the adrenal gland. When surgery and conventional radiation therapy failed to eradicate his tumor, doctors recommended Gamma Knife treatment... |
University of Virginia Health System | November 28, 2007 |
Pulling Out Tumors Through Your Nose Brain surgery involves actually cracking open skulls, which often leads to post-op complications and a lengthy recovery. But Amin Kassam, chairman of the department of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and director of its Minimally Invasive Endoneurosurgery Center, has found a way to leave your melon intact: He performs brain surgery through the nose... |
Popular Science | October 11, 2007 |
Woman without pituitary gland, gives birth to healthy baby A 25-year-old woman whose pituitary gland had been removed through surgery following detection of a tumour, has given birth to a girl child after conceiving through intra-uterine insemination at a city hospital. Describing it as a "rarest of the rare case", Dr V Sunitha of Vikram Hospital said today that a patient who had undergone pituitary tumour surgery, conceiving and having a normal gestation and delivering a healthy baby was a rarity... |
ZeeNews | October 1, 2007 |
Pituitary Tumors in Children In rare cases, children may develop tumors on the pituitary gland. Such tumors are usually benign (non-cancerous) and do not spread to other parts of the body. But, because the pituitary gland is very important in helping to regulate the hormones of the body, even a small disruption can have serious effects on mood, on the ability to focus and concentrate, as well as on growth and overall maturation... |
Services of Health | September 30, 2007 |
The efficacy of fractionated radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas: long-term results of 125 consecutive patients treated in a single institution BACKGROUND: The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to define the efficacy and safety of fractionated radiotherapy (FRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of patients with pituitary adenoma... |
Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, AZ | September 29, 2007 |
Pituitary macroadenomas: are combination antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy contraindicated? A case report A 57-year-old female with a known pituitary macroadenoma was treated for suspected acute coronary syndrome with aspirin, clopidogrel and full dose enoxaparin. She developed a severe and sudden headache, nausea and vomiting and visual deterioration. A CT scan showed haemorrhage into the pituitary macroadenoma. She underwent neurosurgical decompression. Post-operatively her visual fields and acuity returned to baseline. She was continued on hydrocortisone and thyroxine replacement on discharge..... |
Journal of Medical Case Reports | September 18, 2007 |
Pituitiary [sic] Tumor Cushings Disease: This syndrome is caused by tumors on the ACTH (Adrenal Corticotrophin Hormone) secreting cells of the pituitary gland. Patients with this problem develop fat deposits in strange places (Moon face, Buffalo hump on the back of the neck), spontaneous scarring of the skin along the belly that look striated, pimples in adults, high blood pressure and elevated body temperature. These tumors are usually so small that the surgeon might have a difficult time finding the little "bad pearl" in the gland during surgery. This is the one time when small can be bad, especially if the surgeon is unable to locate and remove the tumor! ACTH secreting tumors, although small and troublesome, are readily cured by surgery alone.... |
Brain Surgery Journal | September 9, 2007 |
Our Own Denise (radtraveler) in the news! Denise Potter, who works at the Christus Schumpert Highland Hospital as a mammographer, has Cushing's disease which affects the performance of the pituitary gland.... |
Shreveport Times | July 16, 2007 |
Second-line treatment for Cushing's disease when initial pituitary surgery is unsuccessful. Adenectomy via transsphenoidal surgery is considered the treatment of choice for Cushing's disease. It is successful in about 80% of patients in the hands of an experienced surgeon. When transsphenoidal surgery fails or is contraindicated, a second-line treatment must be chosen. The review focuses on second-line treatment options... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity | August, 2007 |
Coburn has surgery for benign tumor U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn's office revealed Wednesday that Coburn had undergone surgery to remove a "benign pituitary tumor."... |
Tulsa World | June 14, 2007 |
Cedars-Sinai researchers present new endocrine findings at 2 international conferences At The Endocrine Society meeting, Shlomo Melmed, M.D., director of the Burns and Allen Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and one of the world's experts on human growth hormone and the pituitary gland, will be presenting “The Year in Pituitary,” an overview of new research in the field including innovative insights linking the pituitary gland to the understanding of systemic illness, mental disorders and the aging process, advances in subcellular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of pituitary disorders, and the publication of new data reflecting long term medical treatment outcomes in patients with acromegaly. Melmed, who is president and founding member of the Pituitary Society and president of the International Society of Endocrinology, will also highlight challenges scientists continue to face continue to face as they advance the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of endocrine disorders.... |
Cedars-Sinai | June 7, 2007 |
Endoscopic Removal Of Brain Tumor Through Nose - A Breakthrough In Neuro Surgery Patients who suffer from brain tumor usually need surgery as part of overall management.Conventional approach to brain tumors has been through a craniotomy (making a window on the skull).This form allows the neurosurgeon to adequately visualize the tumor and manipulate the surrounding structures ensuring safe removal. With the advent of minimal access surgery in other parts of the body, there is an increasing tendency to minimize the size of the skull opening or incision. |
Wockhardt Hospitals | 5/23/2007 |
Pheochromocytoma - An Analysis Of 123 Patients The family, from Crawcrook, Gateshead, have suffered a string of medical setbacks over the past few years - Jenny was struck with Cushing's syndrome, which caused excessive weight gain and diabetes, had a brain tumour removed in 2000 and cannot walk very far due to arthritis in her leg.... |
Blackwell Publishing | 5/22/2007 |
Medical Marvels An article about neurosurgeon Dr Hae-Dong Jho in Pittsburgh Magazine: Medical Marvels.
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Pittsburgh Magazine | 5/17/2007 |
Selective bilateral blood sampling from the inferior petrosal sinus in Cushing's disease: Effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and thyrotropin-releasing hormone on pituitary secretion Abstract We sought to enhance the sensitivity of selective bilateral blood sampling to determine adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin levels in the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) by administering two stimulatory agents—corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). We then determined the ACTH and prolactin levels in the IPS of 10 patients with Cushing's disease. After peripheral administration of both CRF and TRH, ACTH levels were significantly higher on the tumor side in all patients. The prolactin level was significantly higher on the tumor side when CRF or TRH was used to stimulate pituitary secretion. Postsurgical immunohistochemistry studies revealed production of both ACTH and prolactin in tumor cells, explaining the abnormal secretion pattern of the pituitary adenoma. The use of CRF and TRH may therefore improve the reliability of selective blood sampling and tests from the IPS in those cases of Cushing's disease for which noninvasive methods have otherwide failed to clarify the diagnosis. |
Springer New York | 5/16/2007 |
Kickboxing Causes Damage To Hormone Producing Area In Brain Abstract New research shows for the first time that kickboxing can cause brain damage. Head injuries in kickboxing can cause damage to an area of the brain called the pituitary, resulting in decreased production of hormones, which affect the body's metabolism and response to stress. |
Clinical Endocrinology | |
ECT
in Patients With Intracranial Masses Journal of Neuropsychiatry (subscription) - USA No deviation of the pituitary stalk or significant deformity of the diaphragma sellae was noted. She received 10 treatments without complications and with ... |
Journal of Neuropsychiatry | |
Thyroid |
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Plasma Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Values and Cortisol Response to 250 and 1 µg ACTH Stimulation in Patients with Hyperthyroidism before and after Carbimazole Therapy: Case-Control Comparative Study The mean basal plasma ACTH and FCI were higher and CBG was lower in thyrotoxic patients in comparison with controls. The peak cortisol was less than 18 µg/dl in 10 of 29 and 14 of 29 on 250 and 1 µg ACTH1–24 stimulation. Peak FCI was subnormal only in three of 27 (11.1%) and two of 21 (7.4%) on 250 and 1 µg ACTH1–24 stimulation, respectively. The mean plasma ACTH, basal FCI, and subnormal peak FCI (two of the three) normalized after euthyroidism. Plasma ACTH and FCI did not correlate with severity of thyrotoxicosis... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | 5/15/2007 |
Verbal
Memory Retrieval Deficits Associated With Untreated Hypothyroidism The effects of inadequate thyroid hormone availability to the brain on adult cognitive function are poorly understood. This study assessed the effects of hypothyroidism on cognitive function using a standard neuropsychological battery in 14 patients suffering from untreated hypothyroidism and complaining of subjective cognitive difficulties in comparison with 10 age-matched healthy comparison subjects. Significant differences between groups were limited to verbal memory retrieval as measured by the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). On short delay free recall, long delay free recall, and long delay cued recall, significant differences remained between groups despite the limited statistical power of this study. There were no significant results found between groups on attentional or nonverbal tasks. Results suggest that hypothyroid-related memory deficits are not attributable to an attentional deficit but rather to specific retrieval deficits. (Subscription) Full Text Full Text (PDF) This Topic on the Message Boards |
J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci | 4/18/2007 |
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