Cerebral function in hyperthyroid patients. Psychopathology, psychometric variables, central arousal and time perception before and after thyreostatic therapy

Abstract

Psychopathology, psychometric variables, central arousal and time experience were studied in 30 hyperthyroid female outpatients. While these patients could be significantly discriminated in several of the above-described measures during the acute state of the disease, the intergroup differences disappeared after thyreostatic therapy. The thyroxine level was correlated with elevated beta-activity and the latter with variables of psychopathology and time experience. Hormonal dysbalance in hyperthyroidism is discussed as a biological substrate for neurophysiological changes which in turn causes deterioration in mood and behavior.