Cognitive changes in pregnancy: mild decline or societal stereotype?

INTRODUCTIONPsychoneuroendocrinology is a nascent and vibrant field of endocrinology, revealing the unexplored paths of the diversifying field relating to cognitive functions and blood indices which is an interesting learning arena. During the period of pregnancy, women undergo various physical stress factors such as exertion and fatigue. In accordance with the available literature, these factors have been linked with cognitive impairment which is believed to be the result of increased levels of corticosteroids, Oxytocin, and endogenous opiates (substances associated with conception and parturition). 1,2Betaendorphins, substance associated with conception ABSTRACT Background: Psychoneuroendocrinology is a nascent and vibrant field of endocrinology, revealing the unexplored paths of the diversifying field relating to cognitive functions and blood indices which is an interesting learning arena. This work, establishes the relationship of cognitive status and blood indices across parturition among the same subjects. Methods: The experimental design aimed at administration of cognitive assessment function tests as per Wechsler's memory scale to pregnant subjects and getting specific blood parameters analysed across parturition. The statistical analysis included regression analysis to eliminate the effect of age on the parameters considered and a paired T test to establish relationship across parturition among the same subjects. Results: Cognitive assessment of the subjects clearly revealed that the following aspects of cognitive functions during conception are significantly impaired post parturition general memory, mental control 1, 2, 3, immediate recall memory. (Mental control 4 and 5). Symbolic memory (observations). Whereas the following cognitive functions of the same subjects during conception, are NOT significantly impaired post parturition, orientation, digit cognition (mental control 6 and 7). In the case of blood indices, as per the results obtained, it is quite clearly evident that the following blood parameters of the same subjects showed statistically significant difference during conception compared to post parturition. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Whereas the following blood parameters of the same subjects showed NO statistically significant difference during conception compared to post parturition, haemoglobin (Hb), total count (TC), platelet count (PC) Conclusions: The domain of cognition related to immediate and recent memory functions, Mean corpuscular blood indices have shown significant variation during pregnancy compared to post parturition. Therefore, the parameters considered in this study indirectly reflects upon the hormonal influence on cognition and blood indices, further studies will help venture more into this newer field of psycho endoneuroimmunology.

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“…The outcome of this research work has yielded fruitful results concurrent with previous studies 7,8 .…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 76%

Analysis of relationship between memory functions and blood indices across parturition in primigravidae

Srinivasan

Meerasa

2017

Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol

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“…If depressive symptoms are linked with poorer memory, and if depression during pregnancy is more prevalent than formerly realized, then it could potentially explain the widely held societal beliefs of defective memory in pregnant women (see also Crawley et al, 2008).…”

Section: Wm and Depressionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Working memory in pregnant women: Relation to estrogen and antepartum depression

Hampson

Phillips

Duff‐Canning

et al. 2015

Hormones and Behavior

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“…It is possible there is a similar discrepancy in pregnant/postpartum women. A possible explanation for why self-reports indicate a decrease in cognitive abilities associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period is that women may be more aware of memory lapses or cognitive slips due to cultural expectations of functional cognitive concerns during pregnancy (Crawley, Grant, & Hinshaw, 2008). For example, a nocebo effect may occur where pregnant women misattribute negative, but common, symptoms of cognitive mistakes to their pregnancy.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

How do memory and attention change with pregnancy and childbirth? A controlled longitudinal examination of neuropsychological functioning in pregnant and postpartum women

Logan

Hill

Jones

et al. 2014

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology

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Current literature on cognitive functioning in pregnancy and postpartum is mixed, with most research showing deficits in memory and attention during pregnancy or no difference between pregnant participants and controls with little emphasis on the postpartum period. In the current study, we used a longitudinal controlled design and 42 primarily not depressed participants to compare pregnant women in the third trimester and approximately three months postpartum with matched controls over the same time period on neuropsychological domains including memory, attention, learning, visuospatial, and executive functioning. We also evaluated the role of mood and quality of life as potential moderators of cognitive functioning in pregnancy/postpartum. Results indicated no differences between controls and pregnant/postpartum women on neuropsychological measures at any time points. Self-reported memory difficulties, however, were higher in the pregnant/postpartum women. Pregnant and postpartum women had worse self-reported mood and quality of life than controls. Mood and quality of life slightly moderated specific measures of attention and verbal fluency; however, neither mood nor quality of life moderated overall neuropsychological functioning in either group. Number of previous pregnancies had no effect on the study findings. Results suggest differences in subjective memory complaints, but no differences in objective neuropsychological test results between controls and pregnant/postpartum women who are primarily not diagnosed with depression.

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Cognitive changes in pregnancy: mild decline or societal stereotype?

Cited by 38 publications

References 60 publications

Analysis of relationship between memory functions and blood indices across parturition in primigravidae

Analysis of relationship between memory functions and blood indices across parturition in primigravidae

Working memory in pregnant women: Relation to estrogen and antepartum depression

How do memory and attention change with pregnancy and childbirth? A controlled longitudinal examination of neuropsychological functioning in pregnant and postpartum women

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