Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Current controversies in acromegaly care.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2026

Same author

Genome-wide loss of heterozygosity predicts aggressive, treatment-refractory behavior in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.

Acta neuropathologica·2024

Same author

Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Events After Immunotherapy.

JACC. CardioOncology·2023

Same author

The Prolactin per Unit Tumor Volume Ratio Accurately Distinguishes Prolactinomas From Secondary Hyperprolactinemia due to Stalk Effect.

Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists·2022

Same author

The biochemical diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency with modern cortisol assays: Reappraisal in the setting of opioid exposure and hospitalization.

Clinical endocrinology·2021

Same author

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a rare cause of pituitary stalk thickening.

Clinical case reports·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Current treatment options for hyperprolactinemia.

Alexander Faje¹, Lisa Nachtigall

¹Massachusetts General Hospital, BUL 457, Neuroendocrine Unit, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy

|June 7, 2013

Summary

Hyperprolactinemia, often caused by prolactinomas, can impair fertility and bone health. Treatment, primarily with dopamine agonists, effectively normalizes prolactin levels, restoring gonadal function and improving bone mass in most patients.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine
Oncology

Background:

Hyperprolactinemia is a common endocrine disorder, frequently linked to prolactinomas, the most prevalent pituitary tumors.
Untreated hyperprolactinemia can lead to significant health issues, including oligo-amenorrhea, bone loss, and impaired gonadal function and fertility.
Restoring normal prolactin levels is crucial for improving bone mineral density and reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of hyperprolactinemia management.
To discuss the efficacy and safety of current and emerging treatment modalities.
To highlight the impact of normalized prolactin levels on patient health outcomes.

Main Methods:

Review of pharmacologic treatments, including dopamine agonists.
Evaluation of surgical and radiation therapy options for hyperprolactinemia.
Discussion of novel and developing therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

Dopamine agonists, particularly cabergoline, are the first-line treatment for hyperprolactinemia.
Pharmacologic therapy often successfully controls prolactin levels and reduces tumor size.
Surgery is a viable alternative in specific clinical scenarios.

Conclusions:

Normalization of prolactin levels through treatment significantly improves bone mass and restores gonadal function.
While dopamine agonist monotherapy is effective, combination therapies may be required for resistant or aggressive prolactinomas.
Continued research into new therapies is essential for optimizing hyperprolactinemia management.