An electroencephalographic investigation of short-term effects of three hypothalamic hormones (TRH, LH/FSH-RH, GH-RIH) in normal subjects.

Three hypothalamic regulatory hormones, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (LH/FSH-RH) and growth hormone-release inhibiting hormone (GH-RIH) given intravenously had no effect on the electroencephalographic response known as the contingent negative variation (CNV) in normal subjects. TRH was given as a 10 ml infusion of 600 microg over 8 min to six subjects. This produced subjective sensations and a rise in heart rate but no significant alteration of CNV magnitude. LH/FSH-RH was given in a dose of 200 microg in 10 ml over 2 min to six subjects. This had no effect on CNV magnitude or heart rate and produced no subjective effects. GH-RIH was given as a 10 ml infusion of 250 microg over 10 min to six subjects. Again there was no alteration in the magnitude of the CNV; the heart rate was slowed.