title: [Therapeutic potential of thyreoliberin (TRH) and its analogues as antiepileptic and neuroprotective drugs].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyreoliberin (TRH, thyrotropin releasing hormone) is a hypothalamic tripeptide, whose regulatory role in the endocrine system is well recognized. TRH and its receptors are also widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), where they are involved in neurotransmission and neuromodulation, as well as in maintaining of homeostasis in the brain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review article is a short presentation of the role of TRH in CNS function, with special emphasis on mechanisms of its action and future perspectives of potential use of TRH and its analogues in the treatment of epilepsy and some neurodegenerative diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A potential clinical utility of TRH as the CNS drug is limited by its short half-life, low bioavailability and some undesired effects (endocrine, peripheral). Thus, new analogues of TRH with better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters are intensively searched for. TRH shows a multidirectional influence on the CNS functions, i.e. it activates motoneurons, has analeptic, antidepressive and hyperthermic properties. Of special interest is antiepileptic activity of TRH, which suggests its potential use as an add-on drug in intractable epilepsy. An increasing body of preclinical evidences shows that TRH protects neuronal cells against a variety of damaging agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the lack of an efficient neuroprotective drug, the above facts suggest a potential utility of TRH and its analogues in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
authors: Zakad Neuroendokrynologii Doświadczalnej, Instytut Farmakologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Kraków. jantas@if-pan.krakow.pl
authors: Danuta
authors: D
authors: Jantas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone