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Neuropsychological function in relation to serum parathyroid hormone and serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D levels

The Tromsø study

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Abstract

There are receptors for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25–dihydroxyvitamin D in the brain, and there are clinical and experimental data indicating that PTH and vitamin D may affect cerebral function. In the present study 21 subjects who both in the 5th Tromsø study and at a follow–up examination fulfilled criteria for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) without renal failure (serum calcium < 2.40 mmol/L, serum PTH > 6.4 pmol/L, and normal serum creatinine) and 63 control subjects were compared with tests for cognitive and emotional function. Those in the SHPT group had significantly impaired performance in 3 of 14 cognitive tests (Digit span forward, Stroop test part 1 and 2, and Word association test (FAS)) as compared with the controls, and also had a significantly higher depression score at the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (items 1–13). In a multiple linear regression model, a high serum PTH level was significantly associated with low performance at the Digit span forward, Stroop test part 1 and 2, and Digit Symbol tests. A low level of serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D was significantly associated with a high depression score. In conclusion, a deranged calcium metabolism appears to be associated with impaired function in several tests of neuropsychological function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    R. Jorde

  2. Department of Internal Medicine B, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    R. Jorde, F. Saleh & J. Svartberg

  3. Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    K. Waterloo

  4. Hormone Laboratory, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    E. Haug

Authors
  1. R. Jorde
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  2. K. Waterloo
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  3. F. Saleh
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  4. E. Haug
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  5. J. Svartberg
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Correspondence to R. Jorde.

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Jorde, R., Waterloo, K., Saleh, F. et al. Neuropsychological function in relation to serum parathyroid hormone and serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D levels. J Neurol 253, 464–470 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-005-0027-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-005-0027-5

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