The
thyroid gland lies in the base of the neck and is responsible
for producing various hormones
the body needs for converting food to energy and for growth
and development.
Hypothyroidism, or deficiency in thyroid
production, can cause mental deficiency, speech and hearing
problems, motor problems, trouble regulating body temperature,
dementia, sleep
apnea, and psychosis (madness).
Hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the
thyroid gland, can cause tremor, nervousness, insomnia, decreased
memory, impaired
concentration, depression,
and a range of other disorders.
Left untreated, either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can
cause coma and death. However, treatment to restore proper
levels of thyroid hormone can reverse some or all of the symptoms.
Thyroid hormones are especially critical during fetal and
neonatal development; severe hypothyroidism can retard growth
of neurons and connections in the brain, and this damage is
often irreversible. by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
|