Is objective and accurate cognitive assessment across the menstrual cycle possible? A feasibility study

Abstract

Objectives:Variation in plasma hormone levels influences the neurobiology of brain regions involved in cognition and emotion processing. Fluctuations in hormone levels across the menstrual cycle could therefore alter cognitive performance and wellbeing; reports have provided conflicting results, however. The aim of this study was to assess whether objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-reported wellbeing during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle is feasible and investigate the possible reasons for variation in effects previously reported.Methods:The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to assess the cognitive performance and wellbeing of 12 women. Data were analysed by self-reported and hormone-estimated phases of the menstrual cycle.Results:Recruitment to the study and assessment of cognition and wellbeing was without issue. Plasma hormone and peptide estimation showed substantial individual variation and suggests inaccuracy in self-reported menstrual phase estimation.Conclusion:Objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-assessed wellbeing across the menstrual cycle is feasible. Grouping data by hormonal profile rather by self-reported phase estimation may influence phase-mediated results. Future studies should use plasma hormone and peptide profiles to estimate cycle phase and group data for analyses.

The Menstrual Cycle Alters Resting-State Cortical Activity: A Magnetoencephalography Study

“…These changes are noteworthy because low MF and IAF values are often observed in patients with cognitive dysfunction and dementia ( Poza et al, 2007 ). Previous studies have indicated that some cognitive functions are impaired during the MP, including mental rotation, visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and verbal fluency, although these findings remain controversial ( Sommer, 1992 ; Schöning et al, 2007 ; Hatta and Nagaya, 2009 ; Poromaa and Gingnell, 2014 ; Farrar et al, 2015 ; Sundström-Poromaa, 2018 ). Low values of MF and IAF during the MP may reflect impairments in cognitive function due to the menstrual cycle.…”

Sex differences and the effect of female sex hormones on auditory function: a systematic review

“…The most accurate measures are biological measures such as blood or saliva samples where hormone levels are directly assessed. Alternatively, self-report measures can be used, however, this might not be an accurate or consistent measure (Farrar et al, 2015).…”

“…While the most accurate method would be to measure hormone levels in the blood of the participant at the point of auditory testing, most previous work has used selfreported measures. However, we know that self-report measures are less accurate that biological assessment at estimating levels of estradiol in the bloodstream (Farrar et al, 2015), yet studies using either method are treated as comparable. This can make is difficult to develop a clear understanding of how sex hormones affect the various stages of the auditory pathway in an overall and cyclical fashion.…”