Thyroid Dysfunction - Causes Of Memory Impairment: Improving Memory Understanding Age Related Memory Loss
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Thyroid dysfunction
The thyroid gland secretes hormones that control metabolism, the rate at which the body burns energy. When the thyroid doesn't function properly, it can release too much or too little of these hormones, making the metabolism run too fast or too slow. Either problem can interfere with learning and memory. Hyperthyroidism, which causes an abnormally fast metabolism, can make people feel confused. Hypothyroidism, which causes an abnormally slow metabolism, can make people feel sluggish, sleepy, and depressed. Research on animals shows that changes in the levels of thyroid hormone cause physiological changes in the hippocampus. However, research also shows that when thyroid problems are treated, people's memory problems diminish.
| Last updated: | January 23, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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