Pituitary adrenocortical function in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Our findings are in favour of a normal behaviour of the pituitary adrenocortical system in Multiple Sclerosis notwithstanding previous treatment with corticoids or ACTH, the duration and the l o calisation of the illness. The normal circadian rhythms of urinary 17-OHCS suggest that also central control of ACTH is normal. Only an extremely long course of the illness can damage central regulation of rhythmic releasing of ACTH while feed-back mechanisms are retained. The androgen excretion does not prove to be specifically impaired by M.S. and it is probably related to the clinical conditions of the patients.