Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function
Published on: October 6, 2023
A Preliminary Investigation of the Relation Between Thyroid Functioning and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Children
Stephen P Becker1, Aaron M Luebbe1, Leilani Greening2
11 Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
Objective:
To test the hypothesis that thyroid functioning would be uniquely associated with sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms but not Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) symptoms of ADHD.
Method:
Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was collected from a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized children ( N = 570; ages = 6-12), with rates of TSH similar to those found in the normative pediatric population. Caregivers completed narrowband measures of SCT and ADHD symptoms and broadband measures of internalizing/externalizing symptoms.
Results:
A significant, positive relation was found between TSH concentration and SCT symptoms, but not between TSH and ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, regression analyses indicated that the association between TSH and SCT remained significant after controlling for child demographic characteristics, broadband measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and ADHD symptoms. However, effects were small in magnitude.
Conclusion:
Although preliminary, results indicate that thyroid functioning may be related to SCT. Given the small effects, however, it is important for future research to examine other endocrine and biological correlates that may inform models of the developmental psychopathology of SCT.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
01:27Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:25Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
01:18Functions of Thyroid Hormones
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
01:20Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...