The relationship of cognitive functions and glucose in experimental hypothyroidism

Abstract

Thyroid hormones are one of the important factors for brain development and normal functioning. In thyroid dysfunction, regardless of age, defects in the body’s cognitive functions have been found. This study examines the relationship between impaired cognitive function associated with the presence of thyroid dysfunction and its changes in glucose homeostasis. For this purpose, laboratory rats with a weight of 180-220 g were diagnosed with hypothyroidism, their ability to find their way in a special maze was studied, and the function of the brain was evaluated. It was found that the average time to find the way in the maze of healthy rats taken for the experiment was 3.2±0.56 minutes, while the rats in the hypothyroid group could find the way in 5.3±0.63 minutes (P=0 .05). In hypothyroidism, general metabolism slows down. At the same time, energy supply to the brain, i.e. glucose consumption decreases and its amount in the blood increases. As a result, retardation of mental and physical development, loss of memory and attention, disorientation in time and space, and other mental defects can be observed.