Possible role of glial cells in the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders

[helvella]

This is very much a narrative review article and, really, needs no preamble by me!

Possible role of glial cells in the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders

Mami Noda

Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan

It is widely accepted that there is a close relationship between the endocrine system and the central nervous system (CNS). Among hormones closely related to the nervous system, thyroid hormones (THs) are critical for the development and function of the CNS; not only for neuronal cells but also for glial development and differentiation. Any impairment of TH supply to the developing CNS causes severe and irreversible changes in the overall architecture and function of the human brain, leading to various neurological dysfunctions. In the adult brain, impairment of THs, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can cause psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. Although impact of hypothyroidism on synaptic transmission and plasticity is known, its effect on glial cells and related cellular mechanisms remain enigmatic. This mini-review article summarizes how THs are transported into the brain, metabolized in astrocytes and affect microglia and oligodendrocytes, demonstrating an example of glioendocrine system. Neuroglial effects may help to understand physiological and/or pathophysiological functions of THs in the CNS and how hypo- and hyper-thyroidism may cause mental disorders.

Open access here:

frontiersin.org/journals/ce...

jimh111

[phronsias]

Hello

Very interesting, I knew there was a link between my anxiety and my thyroid dysfunction.

Thanks for posting

Frank

[arTistapple]

Professor Perros Petros eat your bloody hat!

[Zephyrbear]

I wonder how much irreversible damage was done in the years during which we, as patients, knew there was something wrong with our thyroids but we had to wait until our TSH readings reached that magical number that allowed doctors to begin treatment with levothyroxine. Then, in my case, another 7 years of ever-increasing doses having no effect before my endo finally decided to try me on Liothyronine and I got some semblance of my life back… but I’ve never been able to get back to who I was before my thyroid betrayed me…

[helvella Administrator in reply to Zephyrbear]

That is very much my question. Not so much personally as so many members.

I've sometimes said that if it took five years to go downhill, it might take another five years to get to the top again. I've meant this in the optimistic sense: however much you have improved, there might be room to improve further. But the pessimistic interpretation is too easy.

[Zephyrbear in reply to helvella]

In my case, it took nearly 10 years to get from feeling there was something wrong to being diagnosed and getting treatment, another 7 years on levothyroxine monotherapy before I finally got a trial of Liothyronine… I’ve been on that since 2011, so well beyond the 10 years it took to go downhill, and I think I’m probably at the best stage I’m going to get to.