Abstract
After the introduction of ACTH and corticosteroids into the clinic, a great deal of data suggesting an effect of these hormones in the central nervous system has accumulated. These data were in line with observations on electroencephalographic alteration, convulsions and mental changes in patients suffering from hypo- and hypercorticism. Experimentally, it was found that corticosteroids alter the excitability of the brain. Glucocorticosteroids and ACTH were shown to decrease the threshold for electric shock in animals. Other studies revealed electroencephalographic changes, in the hypothalamus, the mesencephalic reticular structures and in the thalamus following administration of ACTH or glucocorticosteroids. These and similar investigations demonstrated that the central nervous system contains areas which are sensitive to steroids not only with respect to feed back regulation of pituitary function but to other regulatory mechanisms like the modulation of behavior as well.
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De Wied, D. (1971). Pituitary-Adrenal Hormones and Behavior. In: Stoelinga, G.B.A., Van Der Werff Ten Bosch, J.J. (eds) Normal and Abnormal Development of Brain and Behaviour. Boerhaave Series for Postgraduate Medical Education, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2921-6_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2921-6_20
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