[Neuropharmacologic control of the secretion of hypophyseal hormones in man: dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin. Clinical implications]

Abstract

The secretion of the pituitary hormones is controlled by hypothalamic hormones which are synthetised by neurosecreting cells whose activity is modulated by different neurotransmitters as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Centrally acting drugs (antiparkinson, antipsychotic, antidepressive and hypotensive agents) interfere with the activity of the neurotransmitters. Thus they may influence the secretion of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones. The action of different psychotropic drugs on the secretion of hormones of the anterior pituitary gland and of ADH is reviewed, taking into account differences existing between animal and man, with a special emphasis on: 1. the role of the neurotransmitters on the secretion of the hormones under physiological and pathological (endocrinopathies, neurological and psychiatric diseases) conditions; 2. the clinical importance of the secondary endocrinological effects that these drugs may elicit; 3. the efficacy of these drugs as therapeutic and diagnostic agents in endocrinopathies.