EFFECTS OF CORTICOTROPIN (ACTH) AND CORTISONE ON DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

The effects of the hyperadrenal state induced by corticotropin (ACTH) and cortisone acetate on various disorders of the nervous system have been studied in 58 patients. The following clinical entities were treated: multiple sclerosis (33 cases), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (7 cases), progressive muscular dystrophy (3 cases), myotonia dystrophica (3 cases), myasthenia gravis (1 case), Sydenham's chorea (1 case), Wilson's disease (2 cases), Parkinsonism (3 cases), focal myelopathy (2 cases), and epilepsy (3 cases). Some of these groups contain a sufficient number of patients to enable a significant evaluation; in others, however, only suggestive trends can be noted. Preliminary reports of this investigation have been presented.¹ METHOD OF INVESTIGATION Corticotropin² was administered intramuscularly every six hours (occasionally every eight hours) in total doses of 80 to 100 mg. per day for courses of five days to two weeks. Frequently, a two week treatment course was repeated. One week periods