Question: What kind of patients does the National Institute of Health (NIH) accept for diagnosis and treatment of Cushing’s and how does one go about getting into NIH?

Answer: The National Institue of Health in Bethesda, MD is the medical research facility supported by the US government. At the present time, the NIH accepts all children and adolescents with Cushing’s as well as adults with Cushing’s and Pseudo-Cushing’s states (Cushing’s appearance with elevated cortisol, but no tumor) that fit into the active NIH protocols. There are also special studies for patients with Carney Complex and patients with periodic or cyclical Cushing’s. The best way to know if a patient fits in any of the current protocols is to have a doctor’s summary directed to the NIH investigators.

By Dr. George Chrousos MD (July, 1998)