Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) that causes the release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin.
TRH has been used for assessment of thyroid function, and in Japan it is licensed for treatment of spinocerebellar degeneration. It is used off-label for fatigue, impaired consciousness, pain, depression, and to enhance cognition. It can reverse a hibernation state into a state of normal activity. Amongst others, Pekary & Sattin explored its effects in depression. Winokur has published some very intriguing work on Cancer Fatigue, and “behavioral depression”. Veronesi published research about its use in epilepsy – especially for intractable conditions – which would guide one to a nature-based treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Its effects are not isolated to the increase of thyroid hormone levels in the body and may be related to an increase of norepinephrine effects within the nervous system. Winokur writes: “The results of these studies suggested that: 1) TRH administration would be associated with antidepressant activity, and 2) Effects of TRH in the DOPA potentiation test were independent of the effects of TRH on the thyroid axis and likely represented direct CNS effects.”
Side effects after intravenous TRH administration are minimal.
