Corticotropin-releasing factor data

Interim results of an ongoing Phase I/II trial of CRF in 8 patients with the condition showed that the drug was well-tolerated and that it produced improvements in neurological symptoms such as seizures, muscle weakness, loss of concentration and double vision. The open label study also is designed to see if the drug decreases MRI measurements of the condition.

Patients received either 2 µg/kg/hr or 4 µg/kg/hr of CRF in 72-hour continuous infusions. Improvement was seen in 3 of 4 evaluable patients, but MRI changes could not be consistently related to the neurological improvements. The main side effects were temporary flushing, seen in 7 patients; 2 receiving the higher dose developed rapidly reversible hypotension. ...