, 1998). Cognitive functioning, particularly memory performance has been found to be impaired in patients with childhood onset of growth hormone deficiency and HGH replacement therapies have been found to offset this memory impairment (Arwert et al., 2005). Studies have identified a link between improved attention and increases in memory performance in children with growth hormone deficiency (Arwert et al., 2005; Arwert et al., 2006). This is due to the connection between memory capacity and attentional resources.
Growth hormone deficiency that begins in childhood is most often treated with growth hormone supplementation in order to increase body size during adolescence (Nieves-Martinez et al., 2009). Yet recent studies have demonstrated that this treatment directly correlates to improved memory in adulthood. In fact studies have suggested that treatment with growth hormone in child onset deficiencies can in fact prevent learning and memory deficits later in life (Nieves-Martinez, 2009). Childhood onset of growth hormone deficiency has been correlated to adult memory impairment. However, studies have shown that early supplementation of growth hormone in adolescence has been able to prevent age related deficiencies in learning and memory that are prominent in this population. In fact treatment of growth hormone deficiencies in adolescents was correlated with a cease in the impairment of spatial memory past adolescence (Nieves-Martinez et al., 2009). In fact, supplementing growth hormone during puberty thwarts the deterioration of brain functioning as the result of growth hormone deficiency. Adolescence is a period of maturation and HGH replacement assists the maturation of the brain which may have significant implications for the course of the illness (Nieves-Martinez, 2009).
Children who experience cognitive impairments in childhood as the result of growth hormone deficiencies are more likely to experience psychosocial problems later in life (Baum et al., 1998). Further, as adults these children have decreased employment and marriage rates. Persons who develop growth hormone deficiency as adults have been found to perceive their quality of life and overall health as poor (Baum et al., 1998). Therefore the cognitive changes of growth hormone deficiencies in adults also warrant exploration.
Growth hormone deficiency is the most common endocrine deficiency linked to pituitary disease in adults (Baum et al., 1998). During the aging process, there is a significant decrease in IGF-I protein levels in the body. There are also noticeable changes in the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of the dopamine, metabolite, and homonvanillic acids in the body (Arwert et al., 2005). Studies have shown that growth hormone replacement in adults with a deficiency has shown improvements in body composition as evidenced by an increase in bone density and lean muscle mass (Baum et al., 1998). Adults with acquired growth hormone deficiency who have undergone HGH treatments have reported improved mood, cognitive functioning, and overall sense of well being when measured on tasks of attention, memory, and perceptual motor skill (Baum et al., 1998). There has been concern that growth hormone deficiencies are correlated to learning disability and memory deficits that are commonly seen in adults who have experienced growth hormone deficiency in childhood.
As with any drug, HGH has potential negative side effects therefore one must weigh these against the potential gains associated with HGH treatment. Persons most at risk for experiencing negative side effects of HGH therapies are those that are older and out of shape. The most common side effects after HGH supplementation in adults who are growth hormone deficient include water retention, weight gain, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome all of which may be attributed to an increase in the sodium levels in the body (Baum et al., 1998).
However, despite these side effects, HGH treatment has been shown to improve the cognitive functions, particularly memory, in childhood onset growth deficient persons within the first year of treatment (Arwert et al., 2006). This includes improvement in short- and long-term memory tasks as well as iconic memory tasks. In adult onset growth hormone deficient patients significant improvements in memory occurred after one year with maximum benefits not being recognized until after two years of treatment (Arwert et al., 2006). In fact, after a year of treatment, memory shows significant signs of improvement and these gains could still be recognized after 10 years of treatment (Arwert et al., 2005).
The improvements in short-term memory after the first year of treatment and long-term memories after two years identify that in order to achieve increased cognitive functioning the course of treatment should be a minimum of two years in duration (Arwert et al., 2005). Individuals who experience an increase in memory function after six...
Essay Topic Examples 1.Thyroid Disorders and Mental Health: Explore how thyroid imbalances can influence mood, cognitive functions, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. 2.Thyroid Effects on Pregnancy: Discuss the impact of thyroid function on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the health of both mother and child. 3.Nutritional Impact on Thyroid Function: Examine how diet, particularly iodine intake, affects thyroid health and the consequences of deficiencies or excesses. 4.Thyroid Disease and Cardiovascular Health: Analyze the relationship between thyroid
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