Which hormone is commonly used to treat infantile spasms?

The treatment of infantile spasms often involves the use of ACTH, or adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is particularly effective in managing this condition. Infantile spasms, a type of epilepsy seen in young children, may be associated with developmental disorders such as West syndrome. ACTH plays a crucial role in modulating the body’s stress response and can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain's pathways involved in seizure activity.

When administered for the treatment of infantile spasms, ACTH acts to stabilize the synaptic environment and may reduce the hyperexcitability that characterizes these spasms. This hormonal treatment has shown effectiveness in not only halting the spasms but also improving long-term developmental outcomes in some children.

In contrast, while corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat various neurological conditions, they are not the first-line treatment for infantile spasms. Insulin is primarily associated with the regulation of glucose metabolism and has no established role in treating seizures. Oxytocin plays a part in social bonding and reproductive functions but does not involve seizure management or treatment of infantile spasms. Thus, ACTH stands out as the preferred therapeutic agent in this specific clinical context.