[Dementia and disorders of the thyroid gland]

Abstract

Cognitive deficits pretending dementia can be caused by thyroid dysfunction. The literature addressing pathophysiology and therapy of thyroid dysfunction is reviewed. A shorter duration and less severe course of thyroid dysfunction seem to indicate a better response to therapy. There are not studies on the latency between therapy and response. It is recommended to measure at least TSH in the differential diagnosis of dementive syndromes. Degenerative dementia can occur in coincidence with thyroid dysfunction. Therapy would improve at least symptoms caused by the thyroid dysfunction.