Newly discovered effect of toxic goiter on brain

Date:
February 8, 2022
Source:
University of Gothenburg
Summary:
Toxic goiter affects the brain more than was previously known, a
new study shows, and involves volume changes occurring in central
parts of the brain. These findings are described as a key advance
for a vulnerable group of patients.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Toxic goiter affects the brain more than was previously known, a
University of Gothenburg study shows, and involves volume changes
occurring in central parts of the brain. These findings are described
as a key advance for a vulnerable group of patients.


========================================================================== Toxic goiter, or hyperthyroidism, is a relatively common condition. Its incidence rises with age and most people who suffer from it are women.

Hyperthyroidism is characterized by excessive hormone production in
the thyroid gland, which speeds up metabolism and makes many processes
work faster.

Sweating, palpitations, and fatigue are common symptoms. Thyroid
disorders have long been known to cause both physical and mental
symptoms. Previously, these symptoms were thought to be associated
only with abnormal hormone levels. Now, however, researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital are finding physiological brain changes in hyperthyroidism.

The patient base in the present study comprised 62 women
recently diagnosed with Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. The women underwent various investigations and, after treatment, 48 of them were followed up for a set period of 15 months. The results were compared with those from a group with normal thyroid function
who were examined at corresponding intervals.

Mental symptoms and MRI examination "Every participant underwent a
thorough investigation of mental symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) of the brain, focusing particularly on central parts of the brain,
such as the hippocampus and amygdala -- areas we know are often implicated
in altered cognitive function in other pathological conditions," says Mats Holmberg, Chief Physician and researcher in endocrinology, who is the
study's lead author. What the scientists show in their study, published
in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, is that central
parts of the brain shrink when hormone levels are high, and that these
parts largely resume their normal size when the hormone levels normalize
and symptoms subside. Helena Filipsson Nystro"m, Associate Professor
of endocrinology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg,
Chief Physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and head of CogThy,
the study that forms the basis for the current publication. "The fact
that we can now show that the brain is genuinely affected is highly
significant for the future.

For decades, the patients in our group have testified that they don't
feel they've recovered, and we hope our study will provide further clues
about what happens in the brain," Filipsson Nystro"m says.

More publications coming up "Just the fact that we can say that Graves'
disease affects the brain represents several key steps forward. First,
it's important for patients that research is underway in this area since
it's been neglected for so long.

Second, it also results in new studies on what goes on in the brain
in toxic goiter," Filipsson Nystro"m says. Her colleague Mats Holmberg,
Ph.D., of the University of Gothenburg, who works at Karolinska Institutet
and Karolinska University Hospital as well, also emphasizes that multiple questions remain.

"These are the first findings from our study, and they'll be followed by several publications with both further data from the magnetic camera part
of the study, a survey of the symptoms shown, and functional investigation
of the brain," Holmberg says.

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dreams in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Gothenburg. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mats Holmberg, Helge Malmgren, Rolf A Heckemann, Birgitta Johansson,
Niklas Klasson, Erik Olsson, Simon Skau, Go"ran Starck, Helena
Filipsson Nystro"m. A Longitudinal Study of Medial Temporal Lobe
Volumes in Graves Disease. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism, 2021; DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab808 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220208085006.htm
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