Effects of Thyroid Hormones on Brain Development: Cytoarchitecture and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Thyroid hormones (THs) are vital endocrine factors regulating key brain development processes.
• Adequate TH regulation is essential for optimal brain structure and function.
• TH deficiency or dysfunction is increasingly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review thyroid hormone biosynthesis, regulation, and their critical roles in brain development.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying TH action during neurodevelopment.
• To examine the link between thyroid hormones and neurodevelopmental disorders, offering insights for diagnosis and intervention.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms of thyroid hormones.
• Assessment of the importance of thyroid hormones during various brain development stages.
• Analysis of molecular processes influenced by thyroid hormones.
• Exploration of the relationship between thyroid hormones and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Main Results:

• Thyroid hormones significantly influence neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, and myelination.
• Disruptions in thyroid hormone levels are implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Understanding these pathways can illuminate the origins of conditions like ASD and ADHD.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid hormones are indispensable for normal brain development.
• Alterations in thyroid hormone homeostasis are strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Further research into thyroid hormone mechanisms may yield novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these conditions.