AN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF SHORT‐TERM EFFECTS OF THREE HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES (TRH, LH/FSH‐RH, GH‐RIH) IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Abstract

1 Three hypothalamic regulatory hormones, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (LH/FSH—RH) and growth hormone-release inhibiting hormone (GH—RIH) given intravenously had no effect on the electroencephalographic response known as the contingent negative variation (CNV) in normal subjects. 2 TRH was given as a 10 ml infusion of 600 μg over 8 min to six subjects. This produced subjective sensations and a rise in heart rate but no significant alteration of CNV magnitude. 3 LH/FSH—RH was given in a dose of 200 μg in 10 ml over 2 min to six subjects. This had no effect on CNV magnitude or heart rate and produced no subjective effects. 4 GH—RIH was given as a 10 ml infusion of 250 μg over 10 min to six subjects. Again there was no alteration in the magnitude of the CNV; the heart rate was slowed.