Neuroendocrine manifestations in Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by d iminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretion. Female SS patients indicat ed a central deficiency in three neuroendocrine axes: adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid. At present, it is not clear if any one system plays a primary rol e in the expresson of the disease. Rather, it is likely that the net effect involves the synergistic and antagonistic effects of multiple hormones. Wh en taken together, adrenal and gonadal steroid hormone deficiency, plus ele vated prolactin levels probably greatly facilitate cellular immunity in SS patients.