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Thyroid hormones and cognitive function in chronic schizophrenia: a large-scale cross-sectional study.
Shutong Yang1,2, Ke Zhang1,2, Rui Jiang1,2
1Mental Health Department, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Psychiatric Medical Center, Tianjin University, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|August 19, 2025
Summary
Thyroid hormone levels impact cognitive function in schizophrenia. Total thyroxine (TT4) negatively affects memory and attention, while free triiodothyronine (FT3) benefits visuospatial skills, suggesting hormonal links to cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a key feature of chronic schizophrenia.
- The role of thyroid hormones in schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits is not well understood.
- Thyroid hormones may influence cognition in various psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and cognitive performance in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
- To explore specific thyroid hormones (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4) and their association with cognitive domains.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1271 patients with chronic schizophrenia.
- Cognitive function assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).
- Thyroid hormone levels (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4) were measured and analyzed using correlation and regression models.
Main Results:
- Free triiodothyronine (FT3) showed a positive correlation with visuospatial ability.
- Total thyroxine (TT4) was negatively correlated with immediate memory, visuospatial ability, language, and attention.
- Regression analysis confirmed TT4 as a negative predictor and FT3 as a positive predictor for specific cognitive domains.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid hormones play a significant role in cognitive dysfunction observed in chronic schizophrenia.
- Imbalances in TT4 and FT3 levels are associated with impaired cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and visuospatial skills.
- These findings highlight the potential of targeting thyroid hormone pathways for therapeutic interventions in schizophrenia.
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