[Functional state of the adrenal cortex in patients with Parkinsonism before and after surgical treatment]

The results of biochemical examinations of the hormonal function of the adrenal cortex in 22 patients with Parkinson's disease are presented as seen prior and following stereotaxic operations on the ventro-lateral nucleus of the thalamus. It was found that parkinsonics have a decreased androgenic, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex. Long history and growing severity of the disease manifest themselves in a distinct inhibition of the adrenal cortex function. The importance of the changes in the functional state of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in the revealed disorders in the hormonal activity is emphasized. Along with a beneficial clinical effect surgery brings about an improvement of the functional state of the adrenal cortex.