Related Experiment Videos
Altered growth hormone release in Huntington's chorea
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|March 1, 1976
Summary
Patients with Huntington's chorea showed no differences in glucose tolerance but exhibited earlier human growth hormone (HGH) elevation during insulin tolerance tests. This suggests altered hypothalamic activity in Huntington's chorea, potentially aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurology
Background:
- Huntington's chorea is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- Endocrine and metabolic functions in Huntington's chorea are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glucose and insulin tolerance in patients with Huntington's chorea.
- To assess human growth hormone (HGH) release patterns during insulin tolerance tests in Huntington's chorea.
Main Methods:
- Glucose tolerance tests were conducted on 5 patients and 7 controls.
- Insulin tolerance tests were performed on 12 patients and 10 controls.
- Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, and HGH levels over 75 minutes.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in glucose tolerance or induced hypoglycemia were observed between patients and controls.
- Patients with Huntington's chorea demonstrated a significantly earlier elevation of HGH post-insulin injection compared to controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.02 at 30 and 35 minutes).
- Choreiform movements temporarily ceased in patients during the latter 60 minutes of the insulin tolerance tests.
Conclusions:
- Altered hypothalamic activity is implied by the distinct HGH release patterns in Huntington's chorea.
- HGH release patterns during insulin tolerance tests may serve as a diagnostic marker for Huntington's chorea.