Related Experiment Videos
Autoimmune thyroid disease, left-handedness, and developmental dyslexia
1Thyroid Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) is linked to mixed-handedness and dyslexia traits in men. This suggests a connection between ATD development and how the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), encompassing Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is studied for potential associations with neurological and developmental conditions.
- Previous research suggests possible links between autoimmune diseases and factors like left-handedness, mixed dominance, and learning disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of mixed dominance and dyslexia traits in men diagnosed with ATD.
- To explore the relationship between ATD and cerebral dominance patterns.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 74 men with ATD and 24 control men without ATD.
- Assessment of mixed dominance and traits indicative of dyslexia in both groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with ATD exhibited a higher prevalence of mixed dominance compared to the control group.
- Traits suggestive of dyslexia were more frequently observed in men with ATD.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a potential association between the development of ATD and altered cerebral dominance.
- These results suggest a possible link between autoimmune thyroid conditions and neurodevelopmental factors affecting handedness and learning.