Heightened cortisol response to administration of naloxone in Tourette's syndrome.
The release of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the human has been shown to be under a direct inhibitory control derived from the locus coeruleus (LC). Opioids have been shown to inhibit CRF release. Based on our hypothesis of deranged opioid-noradrenergic activity in Tourette's syndrome (TS), we studied the effect of a naloxone challenge on plasma cortisol levels in 6 TS patients. In all patients naloxone produced a significant rise in cortisol secretion. These results support our hypothesis and suggest that in TS, noradrenergic LC receptors involved in CRF release are supersensitive as a result of chronic excessive endorphinergic activity.
Sandyk
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R
Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724.
Bamford
C R
CR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000097:blood*
D009270:Naloxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone