Growth Hormone Deficiency Is Frequent After Recent Stroke

Front Neurol. 2018 Sep 6:9:713. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00713. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of pituitary dysfunction after severe ischemic stroke is unknown, however given the increasing attention to pituitary dysfunction after neurological injuries such as traumatic brain injury, this may represent a novel area of research in stroke. Methods: We perform an arginine and human growth hormone releasing hormone challenge on ischemic stroke patients within a week of symptom onset. Results: Over the study period, 13 patients were successfully tested within a week of stroke (baseline NIHSS 10, range 7-16). Overall, 9(69%) patients had a poor response, with 7(54%) of these patients meeting the criteria for had human growth hormone deficiency. Other measures of pituitary function were within normal ranges. Conclusion: After major ischemic stroke, low GH levels are common and may play a role in stroke recovery.

Keywords: cognition; growth hormone; ischemic stroke; neuro recovery; rehabilitation.