['It has been demonstrated that growth hormone (GH) is synthesized and secreted by human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC), and the expression of GH mRNA can be found throughout the human immune system.', "We studied a population of female caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD) who suffered from the stress of caring for these patients. We utilized quantitative RT-PCR to determine GH mRNA levels in T- and B-cell populations from PBMC. Subjects were nine caregivers of AD patients and nine age- and sex-matched controls.", 'In the control group we found a threefold greater GH mRNA expression in B cells than in T cells. This finding was consistent with our previous in situ hybridization observation, suggesting GH mRNA in predominately B-cell areas of immune organs in humans. We also found that the expression of GH mRNA from total peripheral blood mononuclear cells and B cells in caregivers was 50% and 60% respectively less than that in the control group.'] Is chronic stress associated with spousal caregiving of patients with Alzheimer 's dementia associated with downregulation of B-lymphocyte GH mRNA?