Anna-Leena Sirén, Giera Feuerstein

• Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, I-pyroglutamyl-l-histidyl-l-prolinamide) was the fIrst hypothalamic releasing SUbstance to be isolated, chemically characterized and synthetized /1/. The studies to date have revealed that the thyrotropin release from the pituitary gland is only one of the numerous actions of TRH. In addition to its endocrine actions (TSH and prolactin release) this tripeptide has central nervous system actions totally unrelated to its effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. This review aims to summarize the studies on theThyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, I-pyroglutamyl-l-histidyl-l-prolinamide) was the fIrst hypothalamic releasing SUbstance to be isolated, chemically characterized and synthetized /1/. The studies to date have revealed that the thyrotropin release from the pituitary gland is only one of the numerous actions of TRH. In addition to its endocrine actions (TSH and prolactin release) this tripeptide has central nervous system actions totally unrelated to its effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. This review aims to summarize the studies on the central nervous system' actions of TRH with special emphasis on the autonomic pharmacology of this peptide.…