Summary
Plasma profiles of prolactin, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were evaluated in a group of untreated patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and a group of healthy age-matched controls. Plasma integrated concentrations of all hormones except prolactin were significantly lower in the patients as compared with the controls; however, prolactin nocturnal peak concentration was significantly elevated in the patients; nocturnal growth hormone levels were significantly reduced in the Parkinson group; ACTH and cortisol plasma concentrations were also consistently lower during most of the day in the patients with Parkinson's disease. These data confirm the presence of a hypothalamic disturbance in patients with idopathic Parkinson's disease, which can affect pituitary function.
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Bellomo, G., Santambrogio, L., Fiacconi, M. et al. Plasma profiles of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin in patients with untreated parkinson's disease. J Neurol 238, 19–22 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319704
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319704