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Thyroid function tests and neurocognitive functioning in children referred for attention deficit/hyperactivity
1Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University Medical School, 111 Michigan Ave, NW, DC 20010, USA. mstein@cnmc.org
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|February 8, 2003
Summary
Thyroid hormone levels in children showed associations with mood symptoms and specific attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presentations, but not hyperactivity. This suggests a link between thyroid function and certain neurodevelopmental and mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
Background:
- Thyroid abnormalities are linked to childhood psychiatric disorders, including ADHD.
- Understanding the interplay between thyroid function and neurocognition in children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone levels (FT4I, TSH) and neurocognitive functioning.
- To explore associations between thyroid function and psychiatric diagnoses in children.
Main Methods:
- Assessed free thyroxine index (FT4I) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in 338 children.
- Collected diagnostic and descriptive data for children with learning and behavior problems.
Main Results:
- Thyroid abnormalities were infrequent in children with ADHD.
- Lower normal FT4I concentrations were linked to ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive type.
- Higher normal FT4I concentrations correlated with mood lability and attention issues.
Conclusions:
- Thyroxine concentrations are associated with mood symptoms and behavioral patterns, rather than hyperactivity.
- Thyroid function shows differential associations with various ADHD subtypes and other developmental disorders.