The thyroid and brain

The thyroid hormone is important for growth and development especially of the brain during the foetal period and the first years of life. Its molecule contains iodine, an element that as such is essential for its synthesis. Iodine deficiency results in irreversible delay in maturation of the central nervous system and is still the world`s most common endocrine problem. It is, after starvation, the most frequent preventable cause of mental retardation. Iodine deficiency is one of the major nutritional deficiencies that have to be corrected. For that reason the book starts with contributions about the status of iodine in several continents. As the thyroid hormone is important during development, special attention will be paid to the role of thyroid hormone in the relationship between the expectant mother and the foetus. Several chapters discuss whether low or high levels of thyroid hormone in the maternal blood circulation will be harmful for foetal development. Thyroid hormone deficiency is not only important during development, but also for brain function throughout life, as will be shown in contributions at the end of the book. „The Thyroid and Brain“ is an essential guide for doctors of internal medicine and endocrinology.