| ACTH stimulation test | A test for adrenal cortical function; ACTH administered by continuous intravenous infusion, or intramuscularly, evokes an increase in plasma cortisol in normal persons; in adrenal cortical insufficiency, the expected increase in plasma cortisol is limited or nonexistent. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ACTH suppression test | <investigation> A test that measures the response of the adrenal glands to ACTH. In this case, dexamethasone is given to the patient and then blood cortisol levels are measured. Under normal conditions, cortisol levels should drop in response to dexamethasone. In this test one milligram of dexamethasone is administered in the morning and then the blood is drawn for analysis the following morning. Abnormal test results can indicate Cushing's syndrome. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| growth hormone stimulation test | <investigation> A test which measures the level of human growth hormone in response to the administration of the amino acid arginine. This test measures the ability of the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone. Normal values in children are: 48 ng/ml. Normal values in men are 10 ng/ml. Normal values in women are 15 ng/ml. This test is used to evaluate infants with growth retardation. It may also be part of an evaluation for a pituitary tumour. Failure of arginine to raise growth hormone levels may indicate hypopituitarism or dwarfism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation test | TSH stimulating test, a test that measures the uptake of 131I in the thyroid gland before and after administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone; useful in distinguishing primary hyperthyroidism (increased TSH serum concentration) from secondary or tertiary hyperthyroidism (low TSH serum concentrations). (05 Mar 2000) |
| thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test | TRH stimulation test, a test of pituitary response to injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which normally stimulates pituitary secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, thyrotropin), used primarily to distinguish pituitary from hypothalamic causes of thyroid disorders; TSH does not rise in cases of pituitary dysfunction, but does rise in cases of hypothalamic disorders. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ACTH | <endocrinology> A peptide hormone that is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoid hormones, which help cells synthesise glucose, catabolize proteins, mobilizefree fatty acids and inhibit inflammation in allergic responses. (10 May 1997) |
| ACTH-producing adenoma | <tumour> A pituitary tumour composed of corticotrophs that produce ACTH, often a basophilic adenoma; may give rise to Cushing's disease or Nelson's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acth syndrome, ectopic | Symptom complex due to acth production by non-pituitary neoplasms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ectopic ACTH syndrome | <syndrome> The association of Cushing's syndrome with a non-pituitary neoplasm, usually a lung carcinoma that produces ACTH. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Ganzfeld stimulation | Illumination of the entire retina in the electroretinogram. Origin: Ger. Ganzfeld, whole field (05 Mar 2000) |
| percutaneous stimulation | Electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves or spinal cord by the application of electrodes to the skin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| photic stimulation | The use of a flickering light at various frequencies to influence the pattern of the occipital electroencephalogram and also to activate latent abnormalities. (05 Mar 2000) |
| self-stimulation | 1. <neurology> A technique for electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or brain by the patient himself to relieve pain. 2. <psychology> Central stimulation, usually electrical, of the brain, which is administered by the animal's pressing a bar or switch; the stimulation may result in negative or positive reinforcement. (12 Dec 1998) |
| stimulation | 1. The act of stimulating, or the state of being stimulated. 2. <physiology> The irritating action of various agents (stimuli) on muscles, nerves, or a sensory end organ, by which activity is evoked; especially, the nervous impulse produced by various agents on nerves, or a sensory end organ, by which the part connected with the nerve is thrown into a state of activity; irritation. Origin: L. Stimulatio: cf. F. Stimulation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| subliminal stimulation | Stimulation at an intensity below that where a differentiated response can be elicited. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dorsal column stimulation | Electrical stimulation, either percutaneously or by direct application of electrodes to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. (05 Mar 2000) |