Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate hypothyroid-related symptomatology with regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during hypothyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine thyroidectomized patients underwent neuropsychological testing and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of their brains with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD), a lipophilic cerebral blood flow radiotracer, while hypothyroid, and again following thyroid hormone replacement. Neuropsychological test scores and TSH levels while hypothyroid were correlated with rCBF in hypothyroid-affected areas of the brain. RESULTS: Correlations were found during hypothyroidism between the noted parameters and ECD radiotracer accumulation in the following respective regions, all of which demonstrated hypothyroid-related cerebral blood flow (CBF) aberrations: TSH and left middle occipital gyrus; psychomotor performance speed and left precentral gyrus; and depression and right middle frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right insula, and left thalamus. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of psychomotor impairment and depression, and TSH level during hypothyroidism appeared to correlate with CBF to brain regions associated with motor activity, mood and vision, respectively; and previously shown to manifest significantly altered rCBF during hypothyroidism.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 161-167 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Neuroendocrinology Letters |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Brain
- Depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Neuropsychological
- Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology
- Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neurology