SERUM THYROTROPIN RESPONSES TO THYROTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE IN KORSAKOFFS-SYNDROME

Eleven patients with DSM-III-R Korsakoffs syndrome were studied as wer e 11 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome(without Korsakoffs synd rome and abstinent for at least 3 years) and 11 healthy controls. All subjects underwent a thyroid-releasing hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation test. Forty-five percent of the Korsakoffs syndro me patients had a blunted response and 18% of the chronic abstinent al coholic group were similarly blunted. None of the controls had an atte nuated response. The possible reasons for the high level of blunting a re discussed.