Plasma cortisol and prolactin response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in neurosis

Prolactin (PRL) and plasma cortisol response to insulin induced hypoglycemia were studied in 14 patients with various somatic and vegetative complaints of neurotic character and in 12 controls. In all examined subjects glucose level fell below 50% of basal values and below 2.2 mmol/l. Significant PRL and plasma cortisol response were present in all controls. Plasma cortisol increase in control group was at least 1.5 fold higher than basal values and the difference between basal concentrations and highest values after stimulation was at least 0.25 mumol. Individual peak of PRL values in group of controls was 1.8-10 fold greater than basal levels. In the group of 14 patients in 11 cases no PRL response to challenge was found and in 4 cases also plasma cortisol response was blunted. In two patients extremely exaggerated PRL reaction was found. Different PRL responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia are probably a manifestation of different types of neurotransmitter metabolism breakdown.