Corticosteroid feedback effects on ACTH secretion in man can be manipulated by neuroactive
drugs. In patients without endogenous corticosteroids (primary adrenocortical insufficiency)
differential and integral feedback effects can be differentiated. When in these patients
brain norepinephrine receptor activity was increased by desipramine, the normally
negative differential feedback mechanism was converted into a positive one (paradoxical
ACTH response). The preexisting paradoxical ACTH response of patients with Cushing's
disease after adrenalectomy was abolished after depletion of norepinephrine granules
by means of reserpine.
Corticosteroid Feedback
-
ACTH
-
Cortisol
-
Desipramine
-
Reserpine
