Problems with the thyroid gland can increase the risk of dementia by 81%

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Insufficient activity of the thyroid gland can affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly. This was the conclusion of an international team of specialists who studied the data of more than 15,500 people.

Scientists found out that it is hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland does not produce the required amount of hormones, that increases the risk of dementia by 81% . No link between hyperthyroidism and senile dementia was found.

In a new study, the results of which were published in the journal Neurology, experts analyzed data from 7,843 patients with dementia and the same number of adults without problems with mental abilities. The average age of all subjects was 75 years.

As a result of the analysis, the scientists found that the risk of dementia was significantly increased among those suffering from hypothyroidism and in the age group of 65 years and older. This association was not observed in patients older than 50 but younger than 65 who had a history of hypothyroidism.

Also, among patients over 65 with hypothyroidism, the risk of dementia was more than tripled if they received thyroid hormone replacement therapy.