Plasma prolactin and cortisol concentrations in epileptic patients during the night
A. Cavallo, D. C. Moore, A. Nahori, A. Beaumanoir and P. C. Sizonenko
Plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations were determined every four
hours, from 8 PM to 8 AM, in 19 epileptic patients during EEG recording of
sleep. Data were compared with those obtained from 12 healthy young male
volunteers studied under similar conditions. Patients had normal cortisol
rhythm, with peak levels at 4 AM or 8 AM and trough at midnight. A
sleep-related increase in prolactin concentration was observed in all
patients. The range of prolactin concentrations in the patients was also
normal. Treatment with valproic acid (ten patients) and frequent abnormal
EEG discharges (five patients) did not affect cortisol and prolactin
secretion.
