The growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis plays an important role in brain structure and maintenance of brain function. There is a close correlation between serum GH and IGF1 levels and age-related cognitive function. The effects of childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (GHD)on brain morphology are underestimated so far.
In this cross-sectional study, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was assessed in 17 adult males with childhood-onset GHD and 17 age and gender-matched healthy controls. The cortical thickness was analyzed and compared between the two groups of subjects. Effects of disease status and hormone levels on cortical thickness were also evaluated.
Although there was no difference in whole brain volume or gray matter volume between the two groups, there was decreased cortical thickness in the parahippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus and occipital visual syncortex in the adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) group, and increased cortical thickness in a partial area of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe and occipital visual syncortex in AGHD group. Cortical thickness of the posterior cingulum gyrus was prominently associated with FT3 serum levels only in control group after adjusting of IGF-1 levels.
These results suggest that young adult male patients with childhood-onset GHD have alterations in cortical thickness in different brain lobes/regions.