Brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging Findings in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Radiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) assesses brain microstructural integrity.
• Brain involvement in HT is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate DTI differences in patients with HT.
• Examine the relationship between DTI metrics and disease duration.
• Explore correlations between DTI values and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study including 36 HT patients and 18 healthy controls.
• DTI parameters (FA, MD, AD, RD) measured in 15 neuroanatomical locations.
• Comparison of DTI values between HT patients and controls.

Main Results:

• HT patients showed lower FA in cingulum, globus pallidus, and cerebellar white matter.
• Elevated MD in cerebellar white matter and higher RD in cingulum/cerebellar white matter observed in HT.
• Negative correlation between FA and TPOAb in posterior limb of internal capsule; positive correlation between MD and TPOAb in corona radiata.

Conclusions:

• DTI reveals significant microstructural brain alterations in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• These changes occur in neurocognitive-related brain regions.
• Findings suggest a potential link between HT and neurological dysfunction.