Executive functions and thyroid volumes in bipolar patients on lithium treatment

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between executive functions and thyroid ultrasound parameters in remitted bipolar patients who were on lithium treatment. Methods: In the current study, 25 remitted patients with diagnoses of Bipolar I Disorder having blood lithium, and thyroid hormone levels within the normal range were consecutively enrolled. Healthy control group consisted of 25 euthyroid people matched as an age, sex and education level with the patients. Semi-structured sociodemographic and clinical form, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Hamilton Depression Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, thyroid ultrasonography and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were applied to both groups. Within the patient group, correlation analysis was performed between WCST performance and thyroid volume. Results: In the present study, no significant difference was found between the bipolar and the healthy control groups regarding the executive functions as measured via WCST. In the bipolar patients, there were no statistically significant correlations among WCST scores and thyroid volumes. Conclusion: Thyroid volumes are not appeared to be associated with executive functions in euthymic bipolar patients.