Age-dependent inhibition of neuronal protein synthesis by hypothyroidism in the developing rat brain cortex

Neuronal perikarya isolated from developing rat brain cortex were employed for studying the effect of hypothyroidism on RNA and protein synthesis in vitro. Neuronal protein synthesis was inhibited by hypothyroidism during the second week of brain development. Thyroxine treatment in vivo stimulated neuronal protein synthesis in hypothyroid rats. The synthesis of neuronal RNA was depressed by hypothyroidism in 7-day old rats. The inhibition of neuronal protein synthesis due to the lack of thyroid hormaones was restricted to membrane-bound ribosomes. The results suggest that the maturation of the neurone is very sensitive to hormonal imbalance during the critical period of brain development.