European Thyroid Association Expands Research on How Thyroid Hormones Affect the Brain

The European Thyroid Association (ETA) has posted two new postdoctoral research positions at the University of Chicago to investigate how thyroid hormones work inside brain cells and to study inherited thyroid diseases. These positions represent the organization's ongoing commitment to understanding the neurological and cellular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action, alongside expanded funding opportunities for researchers in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

What Research Positions Are Available?

The ETA is actively recruiting postdoctoral researchers to fill two specialized roles focused on thyroid science and brain health. These positions offer opportunities for scientists to advance their careers while contributing to critical questions about how thyroid hormones influence neural function and inherited thyroid conditions.

• Neural Cell Research: One postdoctoral position focuses on investigating the intracellular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in neural cells, examining how these hormones work at the cellular level within brain tissue.
• Inherited Thyroid Disease Study: The second position targets the study of inherited thyroid diseases, conditions that run in families and often require better understanding for improved diagnosis and management.
• Early-Career Support: The ETA has also established two new Research Starter Grants specifically for young researchers in low- and lower-middle-income countries, recognizing thyroid disease as a global health challenge requiring worldwide research capacity.

How Is the ETA Supporting Thyroid Research Globally?

Beyond the University of Chicago positions, the ETA continues to expand its research infrastructure through multiple funding mechanisms. The organization offers Project Research Grants and Short-Term Clinical and Basic Research Fellowship Awards to support investigators at various career stages. These programs reflect a broader commitment to building thyroid research capacity across different regions and economic contexts.

The ETA also maintains rigorous clinical standards through updated guidelines. In 2025, the organization released guidelines for the use of levothyroxine sodium preparations in hypothyroidism treatment, ensuring that clinical practice remains grounded in current evidence. Additionally, the ETA published 2024 guidelines on genetic disorders of thyroid hormone transport, metabolism, and action, providing clinicians and researchers with the latest understanding of inherited thyroid conditions.

Ways to Engage With Thyroid Research and Professional Development

• International Congress Attendance: The 17th International Thyroid Congress will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 18-22, 2025, bringing together leading thyroid researchers and clinicians from around the world to present and discuss the latest findings.
• Professional Masterclass Training: The first TED Masterclass on thyroid endocrinology is scheduled for February 19-21, 2026 in Mainz, Germany, offering in-depth educational training for healthcare professionals seeking advanced knowledge in thyroid disease management.
• Webinar Participation: The ETA regularly hosts webinars on specialized topics, including a joint webinar with partner organizations on Graves' orbitopathy and guidelines for refractory thyroid cancer, available through the ETA's e-conference platform.
• Award Recognition: The newly established ETA Theo Visser Prize, sponsored by Egetis, will be awarded annually beginning in 2026 at the ETA Annual Meeting in Porto, Portugal, recognizing outstanding contributions to thyroid research and clinical practice.

Why Does This Research Matter for Thyroid Patients?

Understanding how thyroid hormones function at the cellular level in the brain has important implications for patients with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's disease. Current clinical practice typically focuses on normalizing thyroid hormone blood levels through medication like levothyroxine. However, emerging research aims to better understand the neurological and cellular effects of thyroid disease, which could eventually lead to more comprehensive approaches to patient care.

Patients should continue following their physician's treatment recommendations while research advances. These emerging studies aim to enhance, not replace, current standard care. The expansion of research positions and funding mechanisms signals that the international thyroid research community is committed to deepening knowledge about how thyroid hormones influence brain function and overall health.

What's Next for the Thyroid Research Community?

The ETA's investment in postdoctoral positions, research grants, and clinical guidelines demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing thyroid science. The organization continues to support researchers at all career stages, from early-career scientists in developing countries to established investigators pursuing specialized questions about thyroid hormone mechanisms. For those interested in thyroid research, the ETA website provides information about fellowship opportunities, grant applications, and upcoming conferences where new findings will be shared with the global medical community.