original_query: What is Cushing's disease characterized by?
query: What is Cushing's disease characterized by?
answer: Cushing's disease is characterized by increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary, most often due to a pituitary adenoma.  This leads to excess cortisol production by the adrenal glands and a range of symptoms including weight gain, high blood pressure, muscle atrophy, and others.