Related Experiment Videos
Increases in serum prolactin levels associated with syncopal attacks
G Cordingley1, D Brown, P Dane
1College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Serum prolactin levels can increase after syncope, similar to seizures. This study suggests prolactin measurements may not reliably differentiate between syncopal attacks and seizure events in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Elevated serum prolactin is a known indicator following epileptic seizures.
- The impact of syncope on serum prolactin levels remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of syncope on serum prolactin levels.
- To assess the utility of prolactin measurements in differentiating syncope from seizures.
Main Methods:
- Serum prolactin levels were measured in patients experiencing syncopal attacks.
- Levels were sampled shortly after syncope (18-60 minutes) and during follow-up (17-222 days).
Main Results:
- Increased serum prolactin levels were observed in 8 out of 11 patients post-syncope.
- Follow-up prolactin levels returned to normal in all initially elevated cases.
- Concurrent illnesses were present in most subjects, potentially influencing prolactin levels.
Conclusions:
- Syncope can lead to transient elevations in serum prolactin.
- The study cannot definitively attribute prolactin increases solely to syncope versus concurrent illness.
- Serum prolactin measurement is unlikely to be a reliable biomarker for distinguishing syncope from seizures.