Thiamin improves memory in hypothyroidismAmeliorative effects of thiamin on learning behavior and memory dysfunction in a rat model of hypothyroidism: implication of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase.
Directly addresses thiamin's efficacy
Our study focused on how thiamin, also known as Vitamin B1, can help with learning and memory issues caused by hypothyroidism. We designed an experiment using 50 rats, which we treated with propylthiouracil to induce hypothyroidism and then supplemented with varying doses of thiamin. Over a period of seven weeks, we assessed the rats’ abilities to remember and learn through standard tests like the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tasks.
We observed that thiamin significantly improved the ability of hypothyroid rats to recall the location of a hidden platform in the water maze. The rats that received higher doses of thiamin spent less time finding the platform and traveled shorter distances compared to those in the hypothyroid group who did not receive the supplement. Similarly, in the passive avoidance test, rats treated with thiamin demonstrated longer delays before entering a dark chamber, indicating improved memory retention.
Additionally, thiamin showed promise in reducing oxidative stress and decreasing acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain. This suggests that thiamin may help to rebalance certain chemicals in the brain, contributing to better memory function. Overall, our findings support the potential benefits of thiamin for addressing learning and memory deficits in cases of hypothyroidism, primarily by improving oxidative status and cholinergic function.
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We explored the effects of thiamine on fatigue experienced by individuals with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a common autoimmune condition linked to hypothyroidism. Our investigation involved three patients who were already receiving thyroid hormone replacement therapy. They reported ongoing fatigue despite having normal thyroid function tests.
We decided to address this fatigue with high doses of thiamine, offering either oral or parenteral administration. We measured fatigue levels using the Fatigue Severity Scale and checked thiamine levels in the serum and red cells before and after treatment.
After administering thiamine, we observed that all three patients experienced a partial or complete reduction in fatigue. This subtle improvement suggests that thiamine may play a role in alleviating fatigue, potentially indicating a mild thiamine deficiency related to the autoimmune process of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, since the patients were on thyroid hormones, we cannot fully isolate thiamine's effects.
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