The evaluation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with event-related potentials and magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its relation to cognitive function

Thyroid dysfunction is very often accompanied by cognitive and affective disorders. The frequency of these disorders in patients with compensated Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate brain dysfunction in euthyroid HT patients by means of event-related potentials (ERP) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and to correlate it with cognitive function. 68 patients with HT (59 female, 9 male) and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. All the patients underwent ERP including an analysis of N200 and P300 response parameters. MRS voxels were located in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG) and the left parietal white matter (PWM). The NAA/Cr, mI/Cr, and Cho/Cr ratios were analysed. The ERP parameters, MRS metabolite ratios and hormonal concentrations (TSH, fT3, fT4) as well as TGAb and TPOAb titer were also correlated. There was a significant prolongation of the latencies of N200 and P300 potentials and a significant decrease of P300 amplitude in HT patients than in the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between the mI/Cr ratio in the PCG area and P300 latencies. NAA/Cr ratio in the PCG region showed significant negative correlations with all N200 latencies. The results may suggest brain dysfunction in neurologically asymptomatic HT patients. ERPs undergo significant changes in patients with HT and may, in combination with MRS, constitute an important element in the recognition and monitoring of cognitive functions in this group of patients.

Automated summary

Thyroid dysfunction often coexists with cognitive and affective disorders. The present study evaluated brain dysfunction in euthyroid HT patients and found potential cognitive impairment. ERPs and MRS could serve as important tools to recognize and monitor cognitive functions in this patient group.