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F Kuntzmann

Publications and source records attributed to F Kuntzmann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

TRH-induced TSH and prolactin responses in the elderly.

Since there are divergencies in the thyrotropin (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in old age, and since a hypothalamopituitary dysfunction has been suggested in the elderly, we have studied the thyroid function and the TRH responsiveness of TSH and prolactin (PRL) in 56 euthyroid patients over 70 years old, grouped according to age (70-79, 80-89, 90 or more years) and sex. Results were compared to those of 15 postmenopausal women and 11 men. In the elderly patients there was a decrease in plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) and an increase in reverse T3 (rT3) levels while thyroxine (T4), basal TSH and PRL levels remained normal. The mean TSH and PRL responses to TRH (250 micrograms i.v.) were reduced but there was no age effect within the elderly. Only a sex effect was detected, TSH and PRL responses being appreciably lowered in men. In eight patients without severe disease or malnutrition, the response of TSH was not significant. We conclude that despite an apparent euthyroid status, TSH and PRL responses are blunted in elderly patients, and more in men than in women. These data, consistent with a hypothetical hypothalamopituitary dysfunction, indicate the difficulties of thyroid status assessment in the elderly.

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PubMed1985

Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity and substance-P-like immunoreactivity in the CSF of patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type, multi-infarct syndrome and communicating hydrocephalus.

The concentrations of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) and substance-P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in lumbar spinal fluid of patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT), multi-infarct syndrome, communicating hydrocephalus and control patients were determined by specific radio-immunoassay. Mean SLI and SPLI levels were significantly lower in an aged control patient group (mean age 83.5 +/- 5.6 years) than in an adult control patient group (mean age 30.8 +/- 10 years). In the latter group SPLI levels correlated negatively with age. Mean SLI levels decreased with deterioration in SDAT patients by up to 33% in late dementia. SPLI correlated with SLI in SDAT patients but was decreased significantly only in late dementia patients. Moderate and insignificant decreases of SLI were observed in patients with multi-infarct syndrome or communicating hydrocephalus. Analysis of SLI by gel-permeation chromatography revealed molecular heterogeneity of SLI. At least four peaks of SLI were eluted, two of which had apparent molecular weights of about 10,000 and 15,500, possibly representing somatostatin precursors. The ratio of SRIF to SLI of higher molecular weight was increased in patients with dementia compared to control patients.

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