Attention problems in adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism: a multicomponential analysis. 2001

J F Rovet, and S Hepworth
Brain and Behaviour Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. joanne.rovet@sickkids.on.ca

Even though early treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with newborn screening prevents the mental retardation previously seen in cretinism, affected children still exhibit subtle persisting neurocognitive deficits. One of their commonest problems is poor attention, which reflects both early disease severity and later (high) circulating thyroid hormone levels. While attention is currently regarded as multicomponential in nature, with different processing components supported by different brain regions, the specific components of attention affected by CH have not been identified. In light of animal evidence showing that neonatal thyroid hormone deficiencies impede the neurodevelopment of structures important for selective aspects of attention, we proposed a multicomponential approach to study attention in children with CH. This was accomplished via retrospective analysis of existing data on adolescents with CH whose attention was previously evaluated using multiple tests. Results showed significantly poorer overall attention in CH than controls with differences occurring mainly on focus and inhibit indices. However, performance on various indices was associated with different disease parameters. Poor encode and focus were correlated with more severe hypothyroidism and a longer period of thyroid hormone insufficiency and poor select and shift with higher thyroid hormone levels at testing. These results signify that thyroid hormone is important for the development and later regulation of brain structures supporting distinct aspects of attention.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007037 Hypothyroidism A syndrome that results from abnormally low secretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND, leading to a decrease in BASAL METABOLIC RATE. In its most severe form, there is accumulation of MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES in the SKIN and EDEMA, known as MYXEDEMA. It may be primary or secondary due to other pituitary disease, or hypothalamic dysfunction. Central Hypothyroidism,Primary Hypothyroidism,Secondary Hypothyroidism,TSH Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Central Hypothyroidisms,Deficiency, TSH,Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone,Hormone Deficiency, Thyroid-Stimulating,Hypothyroidism, Central,Hypothyroidism, Primary,Hypothyroidism, Secondary,Hypothyroidisms,Primary Hypothyroidisms,Secondary Hypothyroidisms,TSH Deficiencies,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Deficiency,Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Deficiencies
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007360 Intelligence The ability to learn and to deal with new situations and to deal effectively with tasks involving abstractions.
D008297 Male Males
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D009483 Neuropsychological Tests Tests designed to assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors. They are used in diagnosing brain dysfunction or damage and central nervous system disorders or injury. Aphasia Tests,Cognitive Test,Cognitive Testing,Cognitive Tests,Memory for Designs Test,Neuropsychological Testing,AX-CPT,Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome,CANTAB,Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery,Clock Test,Cognitive Function Scanner,Continuous Performance Task,Controlled Oral Word Association Test,Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System,Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment,Hooper Visual Organization Test,NEPSY,Neuropsychologic Tests,Neuropsychological Test,Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test,Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure,Symbol Digit Modalities Test,Test of Everyday Attention,Test, Neuropsychological,Tests, Neuropsychological,Tower of London Test,Neuropsychologic Test,Test, Cognitive,Testing, Cognitive,Testing, Neuropsychological,Tests, Cognitive
D002657 Child Development The continuous sequential physiological and psychological maturing of an individual from birth up to but not including ADOLESCENCE. Infant Development,Development, Child,Development, Infant
D003409 Congenital Hypothyroidism A condition in infancy or early childhood due to an in-utero deficiency of THYROID HORMONES that can be caused by genetic or environmental factors, such as thyroid dysgenesis or HYPOTHYROIDISM in infants of mothers treated with THIOURACIL during pregnancy. Endemic cretinism is the result of iodine deficiency. Clinical symptoms include severe MENTAL RETARDATION, impaired skeletal development, short stature, and MYXEDEMA. Cretinism,Myxedema, Congenital,Endemic Cretinism,Fetal Iodine Deficiency Disorder,Cretinism, Endemic,Hypothyroidism, Congenital
D004521 Educational Measurement The assessing of academic or educational achievement. It includes all aspects of testing and test construction. Assessment, Educational,Graduate Records Examination,Educational Assessment,Examination, Graduate Records,Measurement, Educational,Assessments, Educational,Educational Assessments,Educational Measurements,Examinations, Graduate Records,Graduate Records Examinations,Measurements, Educational
D005260 Female Females

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