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Sexual and hypothalamic dysfunction in the postconcussional syndrome
Author(s) -
Kosteljanetz Michael,
Jensen Troels Staehelin,
Nørgård Birgit,
Lunde Inge,
Jensen Per Bernth,
Johnsen Svend G.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1981.tb00769.x
Subject(s) - sexual dysfunction , atrophy , cerebral atrophy , medicine , libido , hypothalamic disease , endocrinology , hypothalamus , erectile dysfunction , psychology , hormone , hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Nineteen males with a well‐developed postconcussional syndrome were studied by CT‐scan , by psychometric testing and by endocrinological evaluation including a variety of laboratory tests and an assessment of sexual function. 68 % had cerebral atrophy on CT‐scan and 79 % were intellectually impaired, 37 % to a severe degree. Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido and/or erective dysfunction) related to the head injury occurred in 58 %, and severe intellectual impairment was significantly more frequent in this group. Increased plasma concentration of follicle stimulating hormone was observed in 37 %, suggesting a reduced spermiogenesis. The possibility of a primary hypothalamic disorder causing reduced spermiogenesis is raised. Otherwise no radiological or laboratory evidence of major hypothalamic‐pituitary dysfunction was demonstrated. The high frequency of cerebral atrophy and intellectual deterioration in postconcussional syndrome suggests organic brain dysfunction, but no causal relationship was established.