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Clinical Medicine & Research
Volume 4, Number 4 : 322 -325
doi:10.3121/cmr.4.4.322
© 2006 Marshfield Clinic
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Review

Growth Hormone Stimulation Tests in the Differential Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease

Maria Teresa Pellecchia, MD, Rosario Pivonello, MD, Annamaria Colao, MD and Paolo Barone, MD

Maria Teresa Pellecchia, MD, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
Rosario Pivonello, MD, Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
Annamaria Colao, MD, Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
Paolo Barone, MD, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy

Reprint Requests: Maria Teresa Pellecchia, MD, Department of Neurological Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy Email: pellec3{at}hotmail.com

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder whose differential diagnosis from other forms of atypical parkinsonism, for instance multiple system atrophy (MSA) or progressive supranuclear palsy, may be difficult, especially in the early stages. Growth hormone stimulation tests have been recently reported to be useful in the differential diagnosis between IPD and MSA. Both clonidine, an {alpha}2-adrenoceptor agonist, and arginine, an amino acid activating the cholinergic system, have been used to assess growth hormone response in patients with IPD and MSA.This review summarizes the results of several studies and discusses the validity of these tests in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonisms.

Key Words: Arginine • Clonidine • Growth hormone • Multiple system atrophy • Parkinson’s disease




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Differential Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease: A New Blood Test?
Clin. Med. Res., December 1, 2006; 4(4): 246 - 247.
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