Thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.
Eleven patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type and 11 age-matched control subjects were given the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test. The two groups did not differ with respect to peak thyrotropin (TSH) response or TSH levels at baseline, 20, 30, and 45 min after TRH injection. There were significant differences between the groups on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (p < 0.03), although neither group met clinical criteria for depression. Items that were significantly different pertained to depressed mood, loss of interest, loss of insight, suicidal ideation, and obsessional symptoms.
Albert
M
M
Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Jenike
M
M
Nixon
R
R
Nobel
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000502:physiology*; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin