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Cognition and cerebrovascular function in primary hyperparathyroidism before and after parathyroidectomy

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Abstract

Purpose

There are cognitive changes in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) that improve with parathyroidectomy, but the mechanism of cognitive dysfunction has not been delineated. We assessed if cerebrovascular function is impaired in PHPT, improves post-parathyroidectomy and is associated with PTH level and cognitive dysfunction.

Methods

This is an observational study of 43 patients with mild hypercalcemic or normocalcemic PHPT or goiter. At baseline, cerebrovascular function (dynamic cerebral autoregulation and vasomotor reactivity) by transcranial Doppler and neuropsychological function were compared between all three groups. A subset underwent parathyroidectomy or thyroidectomy, and was compared 6 months post-operatively.

Results

Mean cerebrovascular and neuropsychological function was normal and no worse in PHPT compared to controls preoperatively. Higher PTH was associated with worse intracerebral autoregulation (r = − 0.43, p = 0.02) and worse cognitive performance on some tests. Post-parathyroidectomy, mood improved significantly, but changes did not differ compared to those having thyroidectomy (p = 0.84). There was no consistent improvement in cognition or change in vascular function in either surgical group.

Conclusions

Although higher PTH was associated with worse intracerebral autoregulation, cerebrovascular function, cognition and mood were normal in mild PHPT. PTX did not improve vascular or cognitive function. The observed improvement in mood cannot be clearly attributed to PTX. Notwithstanding the small sample size, the results do not support changing current criteria for parathyroidectomy to include cognitive complaints. However, the associations between PTH, cognition and cerebral autoregulation merit future studies in those with more severe hyperparathyroidism.

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Funding

NIH R21 DK104105, UL1RR024156, Endocrine Fellows Foundation, Columbia University Aging Center Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    M. Liu, E. Cong, I. Colon, M. Bucovsky, J. Williams, S. Silverberg & M. D. Walker

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    M. Sum

  3. Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA

    A. Kepley

  4. Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    J. Kuo & J. A. Lee

  5. Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    R. M. Lazar

  6. Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    R. Marshall

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  1. M. Liu
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  2. M. Sum
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  3. E. Cong
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  4. I. Colon
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  11. R. Marshall
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Correspondence to M. D. Walker.

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Liu, M., Sum, M., Cong, E. et al. Cognition and cerebrovascular function in primary hyperparathyroidism before and after parathyroidectomy. J Endocrinol Invest 43, 369–379 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01128-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01128-0

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