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A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function
Published on: October 6, 2023
Thyroid stimulating hormone and cognition during severe, transient hypothyroidism
Frank V Schraml1, Pamela W Goslar, Leslie Baxter
1Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, Saint Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center/The Barrow Neurologic Institute, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA. fvschraml@yahoo.com
Neuro Endocrinology Letters
|June 30, 2011
Summary
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels during overt hypothyroidism correlate inversely with cognitive function, specifically working memory and word fluency. Higher TSH may indicate more severe
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- Overt hypothyroidism (OH) can impact cognitive function.
- The relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and neuropsychological symptoms in OH requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between serum TSH levels and hypothyroid-related neuropsychological symptoms in patients with overt hypothyroidism.
- To test the hypothesis that TSH levels reflect the degree of 'brain hypothyroidism' and correlate inversely with cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving eleven thyroidectomized patients tested while hypothyroid and after hormone replacement.
- Neuropsychological and thyroid function tests were administered.
- Patient performance was compared to eleven healthy controls, and patient scores were correlated with TSH levels.
Main Results:
- Patients' working memory was impaired compared to controls while hypothyroid.
- Following thyroid hormone replacement, patients showed similar or greater improvement than controls in most measures, except Thurstone Word Fluency.
- TSH levels during hypothyroidism were inversely proportional to performance in working memory and word fluency.
Conclusions:
- Serum TSH levels during overt hypothyroidism are inversely related to performance in specific neurocognitive domains.
- TSH may serve as an indicator of the severity of 'brain hypothyroidism'.
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