A study shows that levels of thyrotropin, a hormone which influences the thyroid gland, is linked to risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This adds weight to previous work showing that an under or overactive thyroid gland may lead to cognitive problems.
Previous work has linked thyroid functioning to cognitive impairment. In a new study, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have measured levels of the hormone thyrotropin in a group of women and looked at incidence of dementia during follow up. This showed that lower and higher levels of the hormone were linked with greater risk.
The Alois Alzheimer Foundation 