title: Cognitive dysfunction in beta-thalassemia minor.
abstract: Beta-thalassemia minor is a common, hereditary, and mostly symptomless disease. Previous studies have shown that lower hemoglobin values are associated with poorer cognitive functions. We aimed to evaluate the cognitive function in patients with beta-thalassemia minor. Thirty-two male subjects with beta-thalassemia minor and 32 sex-, age-, and education status-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood tests and P300 potentials were carried out. P300 potential latency in all patients was significantly longer than those in the control group (337.63+/-34.89 msec and 310.66+/-14.30 msec, respectively; t 4.046, P<0.001). The amplitudes of P300 in patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group (5.19+/-3.59 microV and 9.81+/-3.33 microV, respectively; t 5.349, P<0.001). In this study, we have found that P300 potentials are adversely affected for cognitive functions in patients with beta-thalassemia minor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Gulhane Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oral
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nevruz
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ulas
authors.forename: Turker
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kutukcu
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurekci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins