Memory improvement with treatment of hypothyroidism

Int J Neurosci. 2006 Aug;116(8):895-906. doi: 10.1080/00207450600550154.

Abstract

The consequences of inadequate thyroid hormone availability to the brain and treatment effects of levothyroxine on cognitive function are still poorly understood. This study prospectively assessed the effects of thyroid replacement therapy on cognitive function in patients suffering from biochemical evidenced, untreated hypothyroidism. Significant effects between the untreated hypothyroid group and control group were limited to verbal memory retrieval. When assessing the effects of 3-month treatment, results revealed that the treated hypothyroid group had significant increased verbal memory retrieval. Results suggest that specific memory retrieval deficits associated with hypothyroidism can resolve after replacement therapy with levothyroxine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / complications
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use*
  • Verbal Learning / drug effects

Substances

  • Thyroxine