LOW-DOSE THYROTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE EFFECTS IN COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED ALCOHOLICS

The cognitive effects of a low dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone ( TRH) (2.0 mg, IV) were evaluated in 18 chronic alcoholic patients who exhibited memory dysfunction secondary to chronic alcohol abuse. The s tudy used a double-blind crossover design that compared cognitive func tions in patients with 2.0 mg of TRH IV as compared with a placebo. TR H was chosen because of its ability to enhance cholinergic transmissio n. Only minimal effects were seen with TRH. Patients with a shorter du ration of alcohol use (mean of 16 years) performed significantly bette r with TRH as compared with placebo on a test involving verbal learnin g and memory. Those with a more chronic history of alcohol abuse (mean of 27 years) did not show such a response. All of the subjects showed cardiovascular response to TRH. Factors that may have contributed to the results of our study are discussed. It is our impression that futu re studies evaluating the cognitive effects of TRH in chronic alcoholi cs need to include an evaluation of the functional activity of TRH in the brain.