[Glucocorticoids in neurology: mechanism of action, applications and side effects]

Glucocorticoids represent a cornerstone in the therapy for many neurological disorders. Even though their mechanism of action is still not completely understood, synthetic glucocorticoids are given as first line drugs in a number of immunological and non-immunological disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. For most of these disorders, however, the level of evidence that glucocorticoids are truly effective is still not sufficient. This is why treatment with glucocorticoids cannot be recommended on an evidenced-based level for many of these disorders. Due to the huge number of acute or chronic side effects, it is essential that the effects are documented by more randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trials. Generally, glucocorticoids can no longer be omitted in the treatment of neurological disorders, the indication to apply glucocorticoids, however, needs to be thoroughly balanced in the light of their many side effects.