Effects of ACTH on brain midline structures in infants with infantile spasms.
Changes of the midline structures of the brain, including the pons, cerebellar vermis, and corpus callosum, induced by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy in 7 infants with infantile spasms were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. Decreased volume of these parts of the brain was induced in almost all infants. Decreased volume of the pons was thought to be closely related to sleep disturbance during ACTH therapy. These results may demonstrate that the cessation of convulsive episodes in infants with infantile spasms treated with ACTH is due to its direct action on the brainstem.
Department of Pediatrics, Fukui Medical School, Japan.
Y
Y
Konishi
K
K
Hayakawa
M
M
Kuriyama
M
M
Saito
Y
Y
Fujii
M
M
Sudo
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011149:Pons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone