Adrenocorticotropin-related modulation of the human EEG and individual variability

• Published in: Neuroscience letters Vol. 262; no. 3; pp. 147 - 150
• Main Authors: Sannita, Walter G, Loizzo, Alberto, Garbarino, Sergio, Gesino, Diana, Massimilla, Simona, Ogliastro, Carla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 12.03.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - physiology; Adult; Alpha Rhythm; Biological and medical sciences; Blood concentrations; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Brain - physiology; Cortisol; Electroencephalography; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose; Healthy volunteers; Hormones and neuropeptides. Regulation; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis. Urophysis; Individual variability; Male; Organ Specificity; Quantitative electroencephalogram; Time Factors; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Blood concentrations; Healthy volunteers; Quantitative electroencephalogram; Cortisol; Individual variability; Glucose; Human; Adenohypophyseal hormone; Adrenal hormone; Interindividual comparison; Electrophysiology; Electroencephalography; Hydrocortisone; Glucocorticoid
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3940(99)00078-6
• ISSN: 0304-3940

During a 6-h period in resting conditions, the blood concentrations at rest of cortisol, glucose and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) varied spontaneously within physiological ranges in eight healthy male volunteers (24.5±1.7 years), without pulsatile changes, correlation among variables, or indications of stress response. The power of the 6.5–14.0 Hz physiological `alpha' rhythm of the electroencephalogram (EEG) proved inverted-U correlated with the ACTH concentration (with maximum power at 12–14 pmol/l ACTH) but was independent from the extent of ACTH change or from cortisol/glucose concentrations. Two subgroups of subjects with low/high EEG power values could be separated depending on ACTH concentration, with estimated cut-off at 7–8 pmol/l. A direct ACTH modulation of brain electrophysiology or common factors (e.g. the corticotropin-releasing hormone) pacing both ACTH and EEG are suggested and may account for individual EEG differences.