The Characteristics Of Cognitive Function Changes And Intervention In Elderly People With Subclinical Hypothyroidism And Mild Cognitive Impairment

ObjectiveWhile overt hypothyroidism is associated with reversible dementia in the elderly,the relationship of subclinical hypothyroidism with cognition remains a controversial issue. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive impairment in the elderly, with particular reference to memory domain.Methods1. A total of 87 patients including 39 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and mild cognitive impairment, and 48 patients only with mild cognitive impairment were tested by Wechsler Memory Scale Examination.2. After Levothyroxine (LT4) was given per day for 6 months, the memory Test score was measured again.Results1. The score of Wechsler Memory Scale Examination was significantly lower in the group of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in euthyroid subjects (p<0.05). Short Memory Test score was significantly lower in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (p<0.05). Considering the long-term memory and the immediate memory test, the score were slightly reduced in subclinical hypothyroidism patients (NS).2. After Levothyroxine (LT4) therapy, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had a significantly improved performances in the M.Q and short-term (p<0.001) and immediate memory (p<0.05)Conclusions1.Our study showed that in the elderly, subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with cognitive impairment, and its impact on memory aspect was evident, especially in the short-term and immediate memory.2. This data revealed significant recovery of memory performance in the elderly with subclinical hypothyroidism and mild cognitive impairment after Levothyroxine (LT4) therapy.