Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Working Memory: Comparison of Postmenstrual and Premenstrual Phases

Sex differences and menstrual cycle influences have been investigated in a variety of cognitive abilities, but results regarding attention are comparably sparse. In the present study, 35 men and 32 naturally cycling women completed three attention tasks, which are commonly used in neuropsychological assessment situations. All participants completed two sessions, which were time-locked to the follicular (low progesterone) and luteal cycle phase (high progesterone) in women. The results reveal higher operation speed during sustained attention in men, but no sex differences in selected and divided attention. Menstrual cycle influences were observed on accuracy in all three tasks. During divided and sustained attention, for which a male advantage was previously reported, accuracy was higher during the early follicular compared to the mid-luteal cycle phase. Furthermore, during selected and sustained attention the learning effect from the first to the second test session was higher in women who started the experiment in their luteal cycle phase. These results suggest a possible role of progesterone in modulating the ability to focus on certain stimulus aspects, while inhibiting others and to sustain attention over a longer period of time.

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“…The learning effect may also be a result of improved memory functions during the luteal cycle phase (e.g. [ 17 , 18 , 25 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and menstrual cycle influences on three aspects of attention

Pletzer

Harris

Ortner

2017

Physiology & Behavior

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“…Previous research has suggested for example that pressure pain thresholds at the lower back may be reduced during the ovulatory phase 71) , although fluctuations in female hormone concentrations during the entire menstrual cycle probably do not affect muscle contractile characteristics 72) . Oestrogen secreted during the menstrual cycle is thought to be involved in other biophysical processes such as working memory function, and this may be important in the nursing profession 73) . Cellular mechanisms influencing LBP are similarly unclear, although it has been suggested that following repeated activity, muscle fibres may be damaged during relaxation in an acidic solution 74) , although whether this would be affected by hormones is unclear.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menstrual Disorders and their Influence on Low Back Pain among Japanese Nurses

Smith¹,

Mihashi²,

Adachi³

et al. 2009

Ind Health

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“…Through the entire lifespan, estrogens intervene to help to maintain brain function, modulate locomotion, cognition, and mental status [7]. In women, fluctuating plasma concentrations of estrogen as occurs during the menstrual cycle, impact on cognitive performance, and locomotor activity [8–11]. Normal men respond to an amphetamine challenge by releasing more striatal DA than do normal women [12]; this greater sensitivity of the DA system could render males more prone to develop the striatal hyperdopaminergia that underlies psychosis [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Steroids‐Dopamine Interactions in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of CNS Disorders

Sánchez

Bourque

Morissette

et al. 2010

CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics

119

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SUMMARYIntroduction: Dopamine cell loss is well documented in Parkinson's disease and dopamine hypofunction is proposed in certain depressive states. At the opposite, dopamine hyperactivity is an enduring theory in schizophrenia with extensive supporting evidence. Aims: This article reviews the sex differences in these diseases that are the object of many studies and meta-analyses and could be explained by genetic differences but also an effect of steroids in the brain. This article then focuses on the extensive literature reporting on the effect of estrogens in these diseases and effects of the other ovarian hormone progesterone as well as androgens that are less documented. Moreover, dehydroepiandrosterone, the precursor of estrogens and androgens, shows effects on brain dopamine neurotransmission that are reviewed. To investigate the mechanisms implicated in the human findings, animal studies are reviewed showing effects of estrogens, progesterone, and androgens on various markers of dopamine neurotransmission under intact as well as lesioned conditions. Discussion: For possible future avenues for hormonal treatments in these central nervous system diseases, we discuss the effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), the various estrogen receptors and their specific drugs as well as progesterone drugs. Conclusion: Clinical and experimental evidence supports a role of steroid-dopamine interactions in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, depression and Parkinson's disease. Specific steroidal receptor agonists and SERMs are available for endocrine and cancer treatments and could find other applications as adjunct treatments in central nervous system diseases.

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Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Working Memory: Comparison of Postmenstrual and Premenstrual Phases

Cited by 16 publications

References 18 publications

Sex and menstrual cycle influences on three aspects of attention

Sex and menstrual cycle influences on three aspects of attention

Menstrual Disorders and their Influence on Low Back Pain among Japanese Nurses

Steroids‐Dopamine Interactions in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of CNS Disorders

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