Human growth hormone in psychiatric disorders.

The authors review some features of the neuroendocrine regulation and neuropharmacologic manipulation of human growth hormone and then discuss some of the data that suggest that this hormone system might be involved in various psychiatric disorders. While emphasis is put on alcoholism and the affective disorders, the effects of stress, psychosocial deprivation and malnutrition are briefly discussed, as well. The possibilities and limitations of the psychoendocrine approach to psychiatric illnesses as exemplified by the growth hormone system are emphasized.