Event-related brain potentials in patients with hypothyroidism.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cognitive function of patients with hypothyroidism, based on long-latency auditory event-related potentials (ERPs).


METHODS
We investigated alterations of P300 latency in patients with hypothyroidism before treatment and after restoration of euthyroidism. ERPs were elicited in 14 untreated patients with hypothyroidism (mean age, 26.71 +/- 2.39 years) and in a group of 30 control subjects with comparable mean age, sex distribution, and educational level. ERP recordings were repeated at 1 and 6 months after attainment of euthyroidism.


RESULTS
Untreated patients with hypothyroidism had longer P300 and N1 wave latencies in comparison with those in the control subjects (P = 0.003 and P = 0.018, respectively). The mean P300 latencies did not change significantly 1 month after restoration of euthyroidism. At 6 months after attainment of euthyroidism, however, the mean P300 latencies returned to normal values, similar to those in the control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that P300 latencies are impaired in patients with hypothyroidism, which is indicative of cognitive dysfunction. These alterations, however, may be reversed 6 months after attainment of euthyroidism.
Ozata
M
M
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik-Ankara 06018, Turkey.
Ozkardes
A
A
Corakci
A
A
Beyhan
Z
Z
Gundogan
M A
MA