Acute hyperthyroidism: Cognitive and emotional correlates.

The nature of cognitive disturbance and psychological distress was evaluated in 19 acutely hyperthyroid women and in 19 demographically comparable women with normal thyroid function. A structured psychiatric interview, the MMPI, and a battery of brief repeatable tests of motor speed, attention, selective attention, and short-term verbal memory were employed prior to treatment with radioactive iodine, 3 wks after treatment, and 12 mo after treatment when normal thyroid function was established. Normal Ss were similarly evaluated, without the iodine treatment. Multiple regression analysis revealed not only cognitive deficits consistent with CNS toxicity, but also a classic neurotic picture strongly associated with severity of pretreatment thyroid toxicity (TT). The relation between TT and cognitive deficits was not apparent 3 wks later, but the relation between TT and a neurotic picture persisted. Final evaluation showed no relation between cognitive or personality function and earlier hyperthyroidism. Results suggest that the effects of TT are reflected in symptoms of neurotic emotional disturbance that may be transient rather than indicative of personality traits. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)