Cushing’s syndrome

Syndrome: increase in glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol).

-Disease: happens when the pituitary releases ACTH. ACTH will cause other stuff to be elevated as well such as androgens, and MSH (POMC splits up into ACTH and MSH or melanocyte stimulating hormone)… get other symptoms like hirsuitism and hyperpimentation. Will respond to high dose dexamethasone suppression test.

-Ectopic ACTH ( small cell carcinoma of the lung – bronchial carcinoma & thymoma). Will not respond to dexamethosone.

-Adrenal tumor: get low ACTH but high Cortisol.

Hypothalamus—PVN (paraventricular nucleus) à CRH à Pituitary à ACTHà Adrenal glands à Cortisol