title: Effect of non-sex hormones on neuronal excitability, seizures, and the electroencephalogram.
abstract: Several of the non-sex hormones have been found to be useful in the treatment of seizures. These hormones have an effect on seizures, and seizures have an effect on these hormones. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroid drugs have been found to be useful in the treatment of infantile spasms and other seizure disorders. Unfortunately, there is no clear consensus regarding superiority of ACTH versus prednisone in regard to efficacy and long-term benefits, dosage, or duration of treatment. There is also considerable debate regarding reasons why ACTH and prednisone are useful in infantile spasms, their mechanism of action, and their long-term effects on brain development. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone also has been used in the treatment of infantile spasms and other seizure types in children, with modest success. As with ACTH and prednisone, the mechanisms of action remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010909:Pituitary Hormones, Posterior / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010909:Pituitary Hormones, Posterior; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011241:Prednisone