title: Blunted growth hormone response to clonidine in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.
abstract: Noradrenergic mechanisms have been involved in the pathogenesis of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS). Since the central alpha 2 adrenergic agonist clonidine is widely used as a therapeutic agent in GTS, the present study aimed at assessing whether GH release after clonidine, representing central alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity, was altered in GTS. After administration of 2 micrograms/kg body weight clonidine, the GH response was examined in nine drug-free, alcohol-abstinent GTS patients (eight men, one woman) and in nine age- and sex-matched abstinent healthy controls. A blunted response of GH release (< 5 ng/ml) was observed in seven patients and the area under the curve (AUC) of the GH-release was significantly reduced (p < .01) compared to controls. This finding indicates an involvement of the noradrenergic system in GTS.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital, Klinikum Innenstadt, University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Putz
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Klages
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hofschuster
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Straube
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackenheil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine