Abstract

Growth hormone replacement unequivocally benefits growth, body composition, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life. Less is known about the effects of growth hormone on learning and memory. The recent paper on 'early onset - growth hormone deficiency results in spatial memory impairment in mid life - and is prevented by growth hormone supplementation' by Nieves-Martinez importantly adds to this literature (J Endocrinol. 2010; 204:31-6). Other data suggest that growth hormone beneficially effects cognitive function in rats. In man treatment of growth hormone deficiency has been associated with improvements in measures of memory and attention. There are also differences in verbal memory of patients with childhood onset growth hormone deficiency. Further questions remain and the beneficial effects or otherwise of treating growth hormone deficiency in different age groups remain to be better defined. Certainly for reasons of maturation of neural connections and their development to young adulthood contemporaneous with rises in growth hormone and IGF1 make these important areas for further study in man. Lastly because of what we already know in terms of cognitive effects of growth hormone deficiency, it is important to replace growth hormone when studying other potential causes of adverse effects on cognition for example, with radiotherapy.