[Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with TRH]

In view of earlier reports in the literature it was tried to use TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone) in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. TRH was given during 3 weeks once daily intravenously in drip infusions in a 0.4 mg dose. For objectivization of the results the muscle power was assessed using a five-grade scale of Lovette. TRH effect on EMG was analysed also. It was found that in only 3 out of 14 patients with moderately progressed disease no improvement was achieved, while in 11 cases the improvement was from 10 to 20%. However, the improvement was transient, and TRH treatment failed to stop the progression of the disease.