Neurobehavioral Symptoms in Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Related to Hypercalcemia but not Improved by Parathyroidectomy

Authors

Gregory G. Brown
Richard C. Preisman
Michael Kleerekoper

Abstract

The neurobehavioral symptomatology of severe primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been thoroughly described. Less is known about more mild cases. We evaluated 34 patients with mild PHPT and followed 19 for an average of six months. Of those cases followed, ten had parathyroidectomy (PTX). Patients with no neurobehavioral abnormalities had the lowest serum calcium levels (10.9 ± 0.88 mg/dL), patients with signs of affective disorder had intermediate levels (11.25 ± 0.66 mg/dL), and patients with signs of cerebral dysfunction had the highest levels (12.17 ± 1.17 mg/dL). Serum calcium significantly correlated with motor speed, psychomotor speed, fluid intelligence, and short term memory. However, in the follow-up of patients, PTX seemed to have no effect on their behavior Serum calcium correlates with both type and severity of the neurobehavioral abnormalities found in mild PHPT. However, most of the evidence indicates that PTX does not produce any improvement of these abnormalities, even when the hypercalcemia elevation is corrected.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Gregory G.; Preisman, Richard C.; and Kleerekoper, Michael (1987) "Neurobehavioral Symptoms in Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Related to Hypercalcemia but not Improved by Parathyroidectomy," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 35 : No. 4 , 211-215.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol35/iss4/11