THE EFFECT OF ACTH AND CORTISONE ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM 1

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Abstract
Measurements of cerebral circulatory and metabolic functions were made in a series of patients before, during, and after treatment with cortisone and ACTH. Similar studies were made in two patients with Cuching''s syndrome. Parallel increases in the means of arterial blood pressure and cerebral vascular resistance occurred in both the cortisone and ACTH treated patients. The mean cerebral blood flow remained unchanged. The results are interpreted to mean that the cerebral circulation shares equally in an increase in general peripheral vascular resistance. ACTH and cortisone do not appear to exert a specific, local effect upon cerebral blood vessels. Similar changes in the cerebral circulation, that is, parallel increases in MABP and in CVR, with normal CBF were found in two subjects with Cushing''s syndrome. Significant changes in the mean cerebral utilization of oxygen and glucose did not occur during the administration of cortisone or ACTH. Cerebral oxygen and glucose utilization were normal in patients with Cushing''s syndrome. These studies provide no explanation for the mental changes that occurred during admn. of cortisone and ACTH.