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Thurley J, Buades-Rotger M, Serfling G, Howaldt T, Reisch N, Krämer UM. Reduced threat avoidance but increased stress induced approach bias in women taking oral contraceptives. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107111. [PMID: 38943719 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has increasingly acknowledged the impact of oral contraceptives on affective behavior and stress responses; however, the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. Studies have previously shown that steroid hormones modulate automatic approach and avoidance behavior. Here, we thus investigated the effects of oral contraceptives on approach and avoidance behavior and whether these effects are modulated by stress. The study comprised 130 female participants, half of whom were using oral contraceptives, while the other half were not using any hormonal contraception (NC). The participants completed the Approach Avoidance Task (AAT), which measures automatic approach and avoidance behavior to socio-affective signals. The AAT was run once before and once after a stress manipulation using the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test. OC users showed absent avoidance behavior to social threat signals and a stress-induced increase in approach behavior to positive social signals. The latter was found in particular in women taking androgenic acting OC, demonstrating that different OC preparations need to be taken into account in research on OC effects. However, OC and NC group did not differ in their cortisol stress response. Overall, the results suggest that OC usage impacts on approach and avoidance behavior to social signals, which might also contribute to the development of affective side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Macià Buades-Rotger
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georg Serfling
- Medizinische Klinik I und Institut für Endokrinologie und Diabetes, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, LMU Klinikum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Krämer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
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2
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Reinke P, Deneke L, Ocklenburg S. Asymmetries in event-related potentials part 1: A systematic review of face processing studies. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 202:112386. [PMID: 38914138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The human brain shows distinct lateralized activation patterns for a range of cognitive processes. One such function, which is thought to be lateralized to the right hemisphere (RH), is human face processing. Its importance for social communication and interaction has led to a plethora of studies investigating face processing in health and disease. Temporally highly resolved methods, like event-related potentials (ERPs), allow for a detailed characterization of different processing stages and their specific lateralization patterns. This systematic review aimed at disentangling some of the contradictory findings regarding the RH specialization in face processing focusing on ERP research in healthy participants. Two databases were searched for studies that investigated left and right electrodes while participants viewed (mostly neutral) facial stimuli. The included studies used a variety of different tasks, which ranged from passive viewing to memorizing faces. The final data selection highlights, that strongest lateralization to the RH was found for the N170, especially for right-handed young male participants. Left-handed, female, and older participants showed less consistent lateralization patterns. Other ERP components like the P1, P2, N2, P3, and the N400 were overall less clearly lateralized. The current review highlights that many of the assumed lateralization patterns are less clear than previously thought and that the variety of stimuli, tasks, and EEG setups used, might contribute to the ambiguous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petunia Reinke
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Lisa Deneke
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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3
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Davignon LM, Brouillard A, Juster RP, Marin MF. The role of sex hormones, oral contraceptive use, and its parameters on visuospatial abilities, verbal fluency, and verbal memory. Horm Behav 2024; 157:105454. [PMID: 37981465 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormones can cross the blood-brain barrier and access brain regions underlying higher-order cognition. Containing synthetic sex hormones, oral contraceptives (OC) have been found to modulate visuospatial and verbal abilities, though inconsistencies have been found in the literature. Among possible explanations, certain OC use parameters (progestin androgenicity, synthetic hormone levels, duration of use) have not received consistent consideration. Thus, the objectives were to (1) examine group differences between men, combined OC users, and naturally cycling women (NC women; not using OC) in visuospatial abilities, verbal fluency, and verbal memory and (2) investigate the contribution of endogenous and exogenous sex hormones on these effects. We also aimed to (3) identify OC use parameters relevant to cognitive outcomes. In total, 70 combined OC users, 53 early follicular (EF) women, 43 pre-ovulatory (PO) women, and 47 men underwent cognitive tests. Performance was compared based on hormonal milieus (OC, EF, PO, men) and OC users' contraceptive androgenicity (anti, low, high). Correlations between performance, hormone levels and OC use duration were also conducted. OC use dampened the sex difference that typically favors men in 3D visuospatial abilities, whereas its duration of use positively predicted verbal fluency. Androgenicity and hormone levels did not predict performance in any task. These results highlight the importance of considering OC use duration. Results also did not support a role for androgenicity in cognition. Importantly, combined OC use (including prolonged use) does not impair visuospatial, verbal, and memory functions in a healthy young sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Marie Davignon
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal H1N 3J4, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal H2X 2P3, Canada
| | - Alexandra Brouillard
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal H1N 3J4, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal H2X 2P3, Canada
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal H1N 3J4, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal H1N 3J4, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal H2X 2P3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada.
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4
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Weller S, Derntl B, Plewnia C. Sex matters for the enhancement of cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:78. [PMID: 37919761 PMCID: PMC10623760 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can influence brain network activity and associated cognitive and behavioural functions. In addition to the extensive variety in stimulation parameters, numerous biological factors drive these effects, however these are yet poorly understood. Here, we investigate one of the major biological factors by focusing on sex-dependent effects of tDCS on a challenging cognitive control task (adaptive paced auditory serial addition task [PASAT]) in healthy humans. METHODS This sex-specific re-analysis was performed on data of 163 subjects who underwent a 2-week cognitive control training (6 sessions in total). Subjects received either verum (anodal/cathodal) or sham tDCS. Electrodes were placed over the left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the respective contralateral deltoid muscle. Cognitive control was measured as performance in the PASAT and was analysed in respect to stimulation conditions (sham, anodal, cathodal) and sex. RESULTS Regardless of stimulation condition, performance gains between the sexes were higher in females compared to males (p = 0.0038). Female's performance during anodal tDCS exceeded male's (p = 0.0070), yet no effects were found for cathodal or sham tDCS. Moreover, in females we found a superior effect for anodal tDCS over sham stimulation (fanodal: p = 0.0354; fcathodal: p = 0.6181), but no such effect in males (manodal: p = 0.6882; mcathodal: p = 0.4822). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the relevance of biological sex for the effects of tDCS on cognitive training. Thus, an increased attention to biological sex is advisable in future brain stimulation research to highlight and in consequence better understand potentially underlying sex-specific mechanisms. Considering biological sex will further advance customisation and individualisation of tDCS interventions. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04108663.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Weller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neurophysiology and Interventional Neuropsychiatry, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Plewnia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neurophysiology and Interventional Neuropsychiatry, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Tübingen, Germany.
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5
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Jensen A, Thériault K, Yilmaz E, Pon E, Davidson PSR. Mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control: Possible effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive use. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 198:107720. [PMID: 36621560 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are one of the most common forms of hormonal birth control. A small literature suggests that OC use may affect visuospatial ability, episodic memory, and executive control. However, previous studies have been criticized for small sample sizes and the use of different, single cognitive tests. We investigated the degree to which biological sex and OC use might affect individual mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control in a large sample of healthy, young adults (N = 155, including 52 OC users, 53 naturally cycling females, and 50 males) tested individually over videoconference. To measure cognition, we used a set of neuropsychological tasks inspired by Glisky and colleagues' two-factor episodic memory and executive control battery, from which two composite scores (based on principal component analysis) were derived for each participant. Our pre-registered analysis revealed a clear female advantage in episodic memory, independent of OC use. In an exploratory analysis, gist memory was elevated in OC users. Interestingly, we found no significant sex-related differences nor effects of OC use on mental rotation or executive control. Duration of OC use was also not related to any of our cognitive measures. These results suggest that the use of combined, monophasic OCs does not lead to many significant changes in cognition in young adults, although young females overall may have better episodic memory than young males. Additional studies, including longitudinal designs and looking in more detail at the menstrual cycle and OC use history, will further clarify the effects of different types of OCs and their duration of use on different aspects of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Jensen
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Kim Thériault
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ece Yilmaz
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ethan Pon
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
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6
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Song JY, Patton CD, Friedman R, Mahajan LS, Nordlicht R, Sayed R, Lipton ML. Hormonal contraceptives and the brain: A systematic review on 60 years of neuroimaging, EEG, and biochemical studies in humans and animals. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101051. [PMID: 36577486 PMCID: PMC9898167 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal contraception has been widely prescribed for decades. Although safety and efficacy are well-established, much uncertainty remains regarding brain effects of hormonal contraception. We systematically review human and animal studies on the brain effects of hormonal contraception which employed neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, PET and EEG, as well as animal studies which reported on neurotransmitter and other brain biochemical effects. We screened 1001 articles and ultimately extracted data from 70, comprising 51 human and 19 animal studies. Of note, there were no animal studies which employed structural or functional MRI, MRS or PET. In summary, our review shows hormonal contraceptive associations with changes in the brain have been documented. Many questions remain and more studies are needed to describe the effects of hormonal contraception on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Y Song
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Renee Friedman
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lakshmi S Mahajan
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Nordlicht
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rahman Sayed
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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7
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Oral contraceptives and cognition: A systematic review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 69:101052. [PMID: 36581228 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used. While the physical impacts of OCs have been well researched, there is increasing interest on potential impacts of OCs on brain, behaviour and cognition. We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the influence of OCs on cognition, including neurocognition, social cognition and emotional processing. Inclusionary criteria were: (a) premenopausal females taking OCs; (b) a control group of naturally cycling women or OCs users in their inactive (i.e. 'sugar pill') phase; and (c) at least one measure of performance on a neurocognitive or social cognitive task. The systematic review found that OC use was associated with some differences in performance on all cognitive domains examined (with the exception of basic auditory attention and psychomotor performance). Several factors were identified that are likely to modulate the way OCs influence cognition, including task related factors, OC type and control group characteristics. Directions for future research are highlighted.
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8
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Griksiene R, Monciunskaite R, Ruksenas O. What is there to know about the effects of progestins on the human brain and cognition? Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101032. [PMID: 36029852 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Progestins are an important component of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and hormone replacement therapies (HRTs). Despite an increasing number of studies elucidating the effects of HCs and HRTs, little is known about the effects of different types of progestins included in these medications on the brain. Animal studies suggest that various progestins interact differently with sex steroid, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors and have specific modulatory effects on neurotransmitter systems and on the expression of neuropeptides, suggesting differential impacts on cognition and behavior. This review focuses on the currently available knowledge from human behavioral and neuroimaging studies pooled with evidence from animal research regarding the effects of progestins on the brain. The reviewed information is highly relevant for improving women's mental health and making informed choices regarding specific types of contraception or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramune Griksiene
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Monciunskaite
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
| | - Osvaldas Ruksenas
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
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9
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Lacasse JM, Gomez-Perales E, Brake WG. Modeling hormonal contraception in female rats: A framework for studies in behavioral neurobiology. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101020. [PMID: 35952797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Research on hormonal contraceptives (HC) in animal models is lacking, and as a result, so is our understanding of the impact of HC on the brain and behavior. Here, we provide a review of the pharmacology of HC, as well as the methodology and best practices for designing a model of HC in female rats. We outline specific methodological considerations regarding dosing, route of administration, exposure time/timing, and selecting a control group. We also provide a framework outlining important levels of analysis for thinking about the impact of HC on behavioral and neurobiological outcomes. The purpose of this review is to equip researchers with foundational knowledge, and some basic elements of experimental design for future studies investigating the impact of HC on the brain and behavior of female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Lacasse
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada.
| | - Eamonn Gomez-Perales
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Wayne G Brake
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal H4B 1R6, Canada.
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10
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Tronson NC, Schuh KM. Hormonal contraceptives, stress, and the brain: The critical need for animal models. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101035. [PMID: 36075276 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are among the most important health and economic developments in the 20thCentury, providing unprecedented reproductive control and a range of health benefits including decreased premenstrual symptoms and protections against various cancers. Hormonal contraceptives modulate neural function and stress responsivity. These changes are usually innocuous or even beneficial, including their effects onmood. However, in approximately 4-10% of users, or up to 30 million people at any given time, hormonal contraceptives trigger depression or anxiety symptoms. How hormonal contraceptives contribute to these responses and who is at risk for adverse outcomes remain unknown. In this paper, we discussstudies of hormonal contraceptive use in humans and describe the ways in which laboratory animal models of contraceptive hormone exposure will be an essential tool for expanding findings to understand the precise mechanisms by which hormonal contraceptives influence the brain, stress responses, and depression risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Tronson
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kristen M Schuh
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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11
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Beltz AM. Hormonal contraceptive influences on cognition and psychopathology: Past methods, present inferences, and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101037. [PMID: 36154817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been a remarkable surge in research on the neural and behavioral correlates of hormonal contraceptive use, particularly oral contraceptive use. Questions have evolved swiftly and notably, with studies no longer revealing if hormonal contraceptives matter for the brain and behavior, but rather how, when, and for whom they matter most. Paralleling this shift, the goal of this review is to move beyond an average synthesis of hormonal contraceptive influences on human cognition and psychopathology (and their neural substrates) in order to consider the nature and specificity of effects. Accompanied by an evaluation of study methods and informed by findings from animal models, this consideration uncovers promising areas of research in the next ten years, including potential activational and organizational effects of hormonal contraceptive use, individual differences in effects that matter for the wellbeing of unique individuals, and correlates of intrauterine device use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M Beltz
- University of Michigan, 2227 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Abor, MI 48109, USA.
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12
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Jett S, Schelbaum E, Jang G, Boneu Yepez C, Dyke JP, Pahlajani S, Diaz Brinton R, Mosconi L. Ovarian steroid hormones: A long overlooked but critical contributor to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:948219. [PMID: 35928995 PMCID: PMC9344010 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.948219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones, particularly 17β-estradiol, are involved in numerous neurophysiological and neurochemical processes, including those subserving cognitive function. Estradiol plays a key role in the neurobiology of aging, in part due to extensive interconnectivity of the neural and endocrine system. This aspect of aging is fundamental for women's brains as all women experience a drop in circulating estradiol levels in midlife, after menopause. Given the importance of estradiol for brain function, it is not surprising that up to 80% of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women report neurological symptoms including changes in thermoregulation (vasomotor symptoms), mood, sleep, and cognitive performance. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of 17β-estradiol also indicate associations between menopause, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting nearly twice more women than men. Brain imaging studies demonstrated that middle-aged women exhibit increased indicators of AD endophenotype as compared to men of the same age, with onset in perimenopause. Herein, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining cognition in women, with evidence implicating menopause-related declines in 17β-estradiol in cognitive aging and AD risk. We will review research focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure as a key underlying mechanism to neuropathological aging in women, with a focus on whether brain structure, function and neurochemistry respond to hormone treatment. While still in development, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on brain aging and risk of AD, while also highlighting an urgent need for better integration between neurology, psychiatry, and women's health practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jett
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Schelbaum
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Grace Jang
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Camila Boneu Yepez
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Dyke
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silky Pahlajani
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisa Mosconi
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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13
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Schuster V, Jansen A. 'That Time of the Month' - Investigating the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle and Oral Contraceptives on the Brain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2022; 130:303-312. [PMID: 35605601 DOI: 10.1055/a-1816-8203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The stereotypic and oversimplified relationship between female sex hormones and undesirable behavior dates to the earliest days of human society, as already the ancient Greek word for the uterus, "hystera" indicated an aversive connection. Remaining and evolving throughout the centuries, transcending across cultures and various aspects of everyday life, its perception was only recently reframed. Contemporarily, the complex interaction of hormonal phases (i. e., the menstrual cycle), hormonal medication (i. e., oral contraceptives), women's psychological well-being, and behavior is the subject of multifaceted and more reflected discussions. A driving force of this ongoing paradigm shift was the introduction of this highly interesting and important topic into the realm of scientific research. This refers to neuroscientific research as it enables a multimodal approach combining aspects of physiology, medicine, and psychology. Here a growing body of literature points towards significant alterations of both brain function, such as lateralization of cognitive functions, and structure, such as gray matter concentrations, due to fluctuations and changes in hormonal levels. This especially concerns female sex hormones. However, the more research is conducted within this field, the less reliable these observations and derived insights appear. This may be due to two particular factors: measurement inconsistencies and diverse hormonal phases accompanied by interindividual differences. The first factor refers to the prominent unreliability of one of the primarily utilized neuroscientific research instruments: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This unreliability is seemingly present in paradigms and analyses, and their interplay, and is additionally affected by the second factor. In more detail, hormonal phases and levels further influence neuroscientific results obtained through fMRI as outcomes vary drastically across different cycle phases and medication. This resulting vast uncertainty thus tremendously hinders the further advancement of our understanding of how female sex hormones might alter brain structure and function and, ultimately, behavior.This review summarizes parts of the current state of research and outlines the essential requirements to further investigate and understand the female brain's underlying physiological and anatomical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Schuster
- Laboratory for Multimodal Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Jansen
- Laboratory for Multimodal Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Germany.,Core-Unit Brainimaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Marburg, Germany
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14
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Buggio L, Barbara G, Facchin F, Ghezzi L, Dridi D, Vercellini P. The influence of hormonal contraception on depression and female sexuality: a narrative review of the literature. Gynecol Endocrinol 2022; 38:193-201. [PMID: 34913798 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.2016693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Over the past decades, an increasing number of women have been using hormonal contraception. The potential role of sex hormones in regulating vegetative, psychophysiological, and cognitive functions has been highlighted in several studies, and there is a need to further understand the impact of hormonal contraception on women's quality of life, especially as regards psychological health and sexuality. METHODS We conducted a narrative review aimed at clarifying the mechanisms involved in the interaction between sex hormones and the brain, also focusing on the association between hormonal contraception and mood and sexual function. RESULTS Our findings clarified that hormonal contraception may be associated with depressive symptoms, especially among adolescents, and with sexual dysfunction. However, the evidence included in this review was conflicting and did not support the hypothesis that hormonal contraception directly causes depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, or sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The optimal hormonal contraception should be identified in the context of shared decision making, considering the preferences and needs of each woman, as well as her physical and psychosexual conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Buggio
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giussy Barbara
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- SVSeD, Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence and Obstetric and Gynecology Emergency Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Facchin
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ghezzi
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Dhouha Dridi
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vercellini
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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15
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Louis CC, Kneip C, Moran TP, Beltz AM, Klump KL, Moser JS. Hormonal contraceptive use moderates the association between worry and error-related brain activity. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 171:48-54. [PMID: 34856221 PMCID: PMC9128846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering mechanisms that can help explain the experience and impact of anxiety in women is important for improving etiological models and treatments to meet the needs of unique individuals. An enlarged error-related negativity (ERN) - an electrophysiological marker of cognitive control-related error monitoring- represents one indicator of neural processes more strongly related to anxiety in women than men. In this study, we further examined this association in women by testing the moderating effect of hormonal contraceptive (HC) use on the relationship between worry - i.e., a transdiagnostic cognitive dimension of anxiety - and the ERN. Results revealed that HCs moderated the worry-ERN association. Specifically, we found a significant and large relationship between worry and enlarged ERN in women using HCs, which was smaller and nonsignificant in naturally cycling women (i.e., those not using HCs). These findings suggest that the interplay among HC use, error-related cognitive control, and worry represents a novel mechanism for better characterizing the expression and impact of worry in women.
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16
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Taylor CM, Pritschet L, Jacobs EG. The scientific body of knowledge - Whose body does it serve? A spotlight on oral contraceptives and women's health factors in neuroimaging. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100874. [PMID: 33002517 PMCID: PMC7882021 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women constitute half of the world's population, yet neuroscience research does not serve the sexes equally. Fifty years of preclinical animal evidence documents the tightly-coupled relationship between our endocrine and nervous systems, yet human neuroimaging studies rarely consider how endocrine factors shape the structural and functional architecture of the human brain. Here, we quantify several blind spots in neuroimaging research, which overlooks aspects of the human condition that impact women's health (e.g. the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause). Next, we illuminate potential consequences of this oversight: today over 100 million women use oral hormonal contraceptives, yet relatively few investigations have systematically examined whether disrupting endogenous hormone production impacts the brain. We close by presenting a roadmap for progress, highlighting the University of California Women's Brain Initiative which is addressing unmet needs in women's health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Taylor
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States.
| | - Laura Pritschet
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Emily G Jacobs
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States.
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17
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Plamberger CP, Van Wijk HE, Kerschbaum H, Pletzer BA, Gruber G, Oberascher K, Dresler M, Hahn MA, Hoedlmoser K. Impact of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptives on sleep and overnight memory consolidation. J Sleep Res 2020; 30:e13239. [PMID: 33348471 PMCID: PMC8365641 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sleep spindles benefit declarative memory consolidation and are considered to be a biological marker for general cognitive abilities. However, the impact of sexual hormones and hormonal oral contraceptives (OCs) on these relationships are less clear. Thus, we here investigated the influence of endogenous progesterone levels of naturally cycling women and women using OCs on nocturnal sleep and overnight memory consolidation. Nineteen healthy women using OCs (MAge = 21.4, SD = 2.1 years) were compared to 43 healthy women with a natural menstrual cycle (follicular phase: n = 16, MAge = 21.4, SD = 3.1 years; luteal phase: n = 27, MAge = 22.5, SD = 3.6 years). Sleep spindle density and salivary progesterone were measured during an adaptation and an experimental night. A word pair association task preceding the experimental night followed by two recalls (pre‐sleep and post‐sleep) was performed to test declarative memory performance. We found that memory performance improved overnight in all women. Interestingly, women using OCs (characterized by a low endogenous progesterone level but with very potent synthetic progestins) and naturally cycling women during the luteal phase (characterized by a high endogenous progesterone level) had a higher fast sleep spindle density compared to naturally cycling women during the follicular phase (characterized by a low endogenous progesterone level). Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between endogenous progesterone level and fast spindle density in women during the luteal phase. Results suggest that the use of OCs and the menstrual cycle phase affects sleep spindles and therefore should be considered in further studies investigating sleep spindles and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Elisabeth Van Wijk
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert Kerschbaum
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Belinda Angela Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Georg Gruber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Oberascher
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Michael Andreas Hahn
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Kerstin Hoedlmoser
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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18
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Brønnick MK, Økland I, Graugaard C, Brønnick KK. The Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives on the Brain: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies. Front Psychol 2020; 11:556577. [PMID: 33224053 PMCID: PMC7667464 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.556577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hormonal contraceptive drugs are being used by adult and adolescent women all over the world. Convergent evidence from animal research indicates that contraceptive substances can alter both structure and function of the brain, yet such effects are not part of the public discourse or clinical decision-making concerning these drugs. We thus conducted a systematic review of the neuroimaging literature to assess the current evidence of hormonal contraceptive influence on the human brain. Methods: The review was registered in PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA criteria for systematic reviews. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies concerning the use of hormonal contraceptives, indexed in Embase, PubMed and/or PsycINFO until February 2020 were included, following a comprehensive and systematic search based on predetermined selection criteria. Results: A total of 33 articles met the inclusion criteria. Ten of these were structural studies, while 23 were functional investigations. Only one study investigated effects on an adolescent sample. The quality of the articles varied as many had methodological challenges as well as partially unfounded theoretical claims. However, most of the included neuroimaging studies found functional and/or structural brain changes associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives. Conclusion: The included studies identified structural and functional changes in areas involved in affective and cognitive processing, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus. However, only one study reported primary research on a purely adolescent sample. Thus, there is a need for further investigation of the implications of these findings, especially with regard to adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Kallesten Brønnick
- Center for Clinical Research in Psychosis (TIPS), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Sexology Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Inger Økland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department for Caring and Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Christian Graugaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Sexology Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kolbjørn Kallesten Brønnick
- SESAM, Department of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
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19
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Hampson E. A brief guide to the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use for researchers in behavioral endocrinology. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104655. [PMID: 31843564 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that reproductive hormones exert regulatory effects in the central nervous system that can influence behavioral, cognitive, perceptual, affective, and motivational processes. These effects occur in adults and post-pubertal individuals, and can be demonstrated in humans as well as laboratory animals. Large changes in 17β-estradiol and progesterone occur over the ovarian cycle (i.e., the menstrual cycle) and afford a way for researchers to explore the central nervous system (CNS) effects of these hormones under natural physiological conditions. Increasingly, oral contraceptives are also being studied, both as another route to understanding the CNS effects of reproductive hormones and also as pharmacological agents in their own right. This mini-review will summarize the basic physiology of the menstrual cycle and essential facts about oral contraceptives to help novice researchers to use both paradigms effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hampson
- Department of Psychology and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada.
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20
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Beltz AM, Moser JS. Ovarian hormones: a long overlooked but critical contributor to cognitive brain structures and function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1464:156-180. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M. Beltz
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan
| | - Jason S. Moser
- Department of PsychologyMichigan State University East Lansing Michigan
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21
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Cutting to the Pathophysiology Chase: Translating Cutting-Edge Neuroscience to Rehabilitation Practice in Sports-Related Concussion Management. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019; 49:811-818. [PMID: 31154951 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2019.8884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, is a common sports injury. Concussion involves physical injury to brain tissue and vascular and axonal damage that manifests as transient and often nonspecific clinical symptoms. Concussion diagnosis is challenging, and the relationship between brain injury and clinical symptoms is unclear. The purpose of this commentary was to translate cutting-edge neuroscience to rehabilitation practice. We (1) highlight potential biomarkers that may improve our understanding of concussion and its recovery, (2) explain why researchers must address the paucity of concussion research in female athletes, and (3) present female-specific factors that should be accounted for in future studies. Integrating objective, quantitative measures of concussion pathophysiology with concussion history, genetics, and genomics will help caregivers identify concussed athletes, tailor recovery protocols, and protect athletes from potential long-term effects of cumulative head impact. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(11):811-818. Epub 1 Jun 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8884.
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22
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Monciunskaite R, Malden L, Lukstaite I, Ruksenas O, Griksiene R. Do oral contraceptives modulate an ERP response to affective pictures? Biol Psychol 2019; 148:107767. [PMID: 31509765 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Indications exist that use of oral contraceptives affects women's socio-emotional behaviour, brain function and, cognitive abilities, but the information is still scarce and ambiguous. We aimed to examine affective processing of visual stimuli between oral contraceptive users (OC, n = 33) and naturally cycling women (NC, n = 37) using the event-related potential (ERP) method. The main findings are: (i) emotionally arousing stimuli elicited significantly enlarged late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes compared to neutral stimuli, (ii) anti-androgenic OC users demonstrated diminished brain reactivity to visual stimuli, and (iii) significantly blunted reaction to highly unpleasant images. In addition, a positive relationship between GFP evoked by the highly unpleasant and highly pleasant visual emotional stimuli and progesterone was observed in NC women, while OC users demonstrated a trend of negative relationship between GFP and progesterone level. These findings suggest possible modulations of affective processing of visual stimuli when hormonal contraceptives are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Monciunskaite
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - L Malden
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - I Lukstaite
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - O Ruksenas
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Griksiene
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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23
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Person B, Oinonen KA. Emotional Memory in Oral Contraceptive Users: Negative Stimuli Are More Forgettable. Psychol Rep 2019; 123:2282-2304. [DOI: 10.1177/0033294119856554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent research suggests oral contraceptive use is associated with altered memory for emotional story information, blunted stress hormone responses to emotional stimuli, and altered structure or function of the amygdala and hippocampus. This study examined the extent to which oral contraceptives influence relative recall of (a) the spatial location of emotional versus neutral stimuli and (b) positive versus negative emotional stimuli. Participants (58 oral contraceptive users, 40 nonusers, and 37 men) completed an Emotional Spatial Memory test and were evaluated on short-term recall and long-term (one week) recall. There was no evidence for group differences in recall of the locations of emotional versus neutral stimuli. However, oral contraceptive users remembered relatively more positive than negative items compared with nonusers and men on the spatial memory test. This effect was driven by oral contraceptive users recalling fewer negative items than free cyclers. The results indicate that hormonal contraceptives may decrease immediate recall of negative emotional stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi Person
- Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Canada
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24
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Pletzer B. Sex Hormones and Gender Role Relate to Gray Matter Volumes in Sexually Dimorphic Brain Areas. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:592. [PMID: 31275099 PMCID: PMC6591487 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates the relationship of circulating sex hormone levels and gender role to gray matter volumes in sexually dimorphic brain areas and explores, whether these relationships are modulated by biological sex (as assigned at birth based on sexual anatomy) or oral contraceptive (OC) use. It was hypothesized that testosterone and masculinity relate positively to gray matter volumes in areas that are typically larger in men, like the hippocampus or cerebellum, while estradiol/progesterone and femininity relate positively to gray matter volumes in the frontal cortex. To that end, high resolution structural MRI scans, sex hormone levels and gender role self-assessments were obtained in a large sample 89 men, 89 naturally cycling (NC) women, and 60 OC users. Men showed larger regional gray matter volumes than women in the cerebellum and bilateral clusters spanning the putamen and parts of the hippocampi/parahippocampi and fusiform gyri. In accordance with our hypotheses, a significant positive association of testosterone to hippocampal volumes was observed in women irrespective of OC use. Participant's self-reported femininity was significantly positively associated with gray matter volumes in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) in men. In addition several differences between OC-users and NC women were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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25
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Allen AM, Weinberger AH, Wetherill RR, Howe CL, McKee SA. Oral Contraceptives and Cigarette Smoking: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions. Nicotine Tob Res 2019; 21:592-601. [PMID: 29165663 PMCID: PMC6468133 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence continues to mount indicating that endogenous sex hormones (eg, progesterone and estradiol) play a significant role in smoking-related outcomes. Although approximately one out of four premenopausal smokers use oral contraceptives (OCs), which significantly alter progesterone and estradiol levels, relatively little is known about how OCs may influence smoking-related outcomes. Thus, the goal of this review article is to describe the state of the literature and offer recommendations for future directions. METHODS In March 2017, we searched seven databases, with a restriction to articles written in English, using the following keywords: nicotine, smoker(s), smoking, tobacco, cigarettes, abstinence, withdrawal, and craving(s). We did not restrict on the publication date, type, or study design. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were identified. Three studies indicated faster nicotine metabolism in OC users compared to nonusers. Five of six laboratory studies that examined physiological stress response noted heightened response in OC users compared to nonusers. Three studies examined cessation-related symptomatology (eg, craving) with mixed results. One cross-sectional study observed greater odds of current smoking among OC users, and no studies have explored the relationship between OC use and cessation outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Relatively few studies were identified on the role of OCs in smoking-related outcomes. Future work could explore the relationship between OC use and mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity, as well as cessation outcomes. Understanding the role of OC use in these areas may lead to the development of novel smoking cessation interventions for premenopausal women. IMPLICATIONS This is the first review of the relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and smoking-related outcomes. The existing literature suggests that the use of OCs is related to increased nicotine metabolism and physiological stress response. However, the relationship between OC use and smoking-related symptoms (eg, craving) is mixed. Further, no published data were available on OC use and smoking cessation outcomes. Therefore, we recommend additional research be conducted to characterize the relationship between OC use and smoking cessation outcomes, perhaps as a function of the effect of OC use on mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Allen
- Family & Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Andrea H Weinberger
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, USA
| | - Reagan R Wetherill
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carol L Howe
- University of Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Sherry A McKee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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26
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Lugli L, D'Ascenzo S, Borghi AM, Nicoletti R. Clock Walking and Gender: How Circular Movements Influence Arithmetic Calculations. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1599. [PMID: 30319470 PMCID: PMC6167457 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Starting from a rich body of evidence on the strict bidirectional relationship between numerical cognition and action processes, the present study aims at deepening the existing knowledge of the influence of body movement on arithmetic calculation. Numerous studies have shown that moving the body along the vertical or the horizontal axis could facilitate calculations such as additions and subtractions. More specifically, results showed an effect of congruence between the type of operation (additions vs. subtractions) and the direction of the movement performed (up/right or down/left). While this congruence effect is present for both additions and subtractions when the axis of action is vertical, when the axis of action is horizontal, the effect appears only for additions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of circular motion, which has so far not been explored, on counting. Participants were asked to count by adding or subtracting “three,” while performing a circular motion (i.e., a clockwise or counterclockwise movement), in an active (i.e., walking) or passive mode (i.e., being pushed on a wheelchair). Results showed a congruence effect for additions calculated in the active modality and only for male participants. Implications of the results for theories of embodied cognition and for the debate on gender differences in mathematical skills are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Lugli
- Department of Philosophy and Communication, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania D'Ascenzo
- Department of Philosophy and Communication, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna M Borghi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Nicoletti
- Department of Philosophy and Communication, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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27
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Weis T, Nuerk HC, Lachmann T. Attention allows the SNARC effect to operate on multiple number lines. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13778. [PMID: 30214027 PMCID: PMC6137054 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32174-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether participants can activate only one spatially oriented number line at a time or multiple number lines simultaneously, they were asked to solve a unit magnitude comparison task (unit smaller/larger than 5) and a parity judgment task (even/odd) on two-digit numbers. In both these primary tasks, decades were irrelevant. After some of the primary task trials (randomly), participants were asked to additionally solve a secondary task based on the previously presented number. In Experiment 1, they had to decide whether the two-digit number presented for the primary task was larger or smaller than 50. Thus, for the secondary task decades were relevant. In contrast, in Experiment 2, the secondary task was a color judgment task, which means decades were irrelevant. In Experiment 1, decades' and units' magnitudes influenced the spatial association of numbers separately. In contrast, in Experiment 2, only the units were spatially associated with magnitude. It was concluded that multiple number lines (one for units and one for decades) can be activated if attention is focused on multiple, separate magnitude attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Weis
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Unit, Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Nuerk
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien IWM-KMRC, Tuebingen, Germany.,LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Lachmann
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Unit, Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany. .,Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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28
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Paslakis G, Maas S, Gebhardt B, Mayr A, Rauh M, Erim Y. Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIa clinical trial on the effects of an estrogen-progestin combination as add-on to inpatient psychotherapy in adult female patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:93. [PMID: 29631553 PMCID: PMC5891970 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for novel treatment approaches in anorexia nervosa (AN). While there is broad knowledge with regard to altered appetite regulation and neuropsychological deficits in AN patients on the one hand, and the effects of estrogen replacement upon neuropsychological performance in healthy subjects on the other, up to now, no study has implemented estrogen replacement in AN patients, in order to examine its effects upon AN-associated and general psychopathology, neuropsychological performance and concentrations of peptide components of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and within appetite-regulating circuits. METHODS This is a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial on the effects of a 10-week oral estrogen replacement (combination of ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and dienogest 2 mg) in adult female AN patients. The primary target is the assessment of the impact of sex hormone replacement upon neuropsychological performance by means of a neuropsychological test battery consisting of a test for verbal intelligence, the Trail making test A and B, a Go/No-go paradigm with food cues and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Secondary targets include a) the examination of safety and tolerability (as mirrored by the number of adverse events), b) assessments of the impact upon eating disorder-specific psychopathology by means of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), c) the influence upon anxiety using the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI), d) assessments of plasma cortisol levels during a dexamethasone-suppression test and appetite-regulating plasma peptides (ghrelin, leptin, insulin, glucose) during an oral glucose tolerance test and, e) a possible impact upon the prescription of antidepressants. DISCUSSION This is the first study of its kind. There are no evidence-based psychopharmacological options for the treatment of AN. Thus, the results of this clinical trial may have a relevant impact on future treatment regimens. Novel approaches are necessary to improve rates of AN symptom remission and increase the rapidity of treatment response. Identifying the underlying biological (e.g. neuroendocrinological) factors that maintain AN or may predict patient treatment response represent critical future research directions. Continued efforts to incorporate novel pharmacological aspects into treatments will increase access to evidence-based care and help reduce the burden of AN. TRIAL REGISTRATION European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT number 2015-004184-36, registered November 2015; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03172533 , retrospectively registered May 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Paslakis
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Maas
- Center for Clinical Studies, Krankenhausstraße 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Gebhardt
- Center for Clinical Studies, Krankenhausstraße 12, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mayr
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Universitätsstrasse 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Loschgestraße 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Griksiene R, Monciunskaite R, Arnatkeviciute A, Ruksenas O. Does the use of hormonal contraceptives affect the mental rotation performance? Horm Behav 2018. [PMID: 29522764 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Oral contraceptive pill (OC) is one of the most popular form of contraception. Despite both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence of its significant impact on female brain and cognitive functions, much remains to be discovered regarding OCs targets in the brain and mechanisms of action. In the present study mental rotation performance was compared between women using anti-androgenic oral contraceptives (n = 35), naturally cycling (NC) women (n = 33) and men (n = 29). On average, OC users were less accurate than NC women and men. Men performed the task more accurately than NC women, but the difference reached significance only in the highest angular disparity condition (150 deg). The response time was positively related with progesterone level while accuracy was negatively related with 17ß-estradiol level, in NC, but not OC women. The comparison of slope and intercept values (parameters relating response time to angular disparity) revealed the main result of present study: OC users exhibited significantly lower slope compared to men and NC women, but there were no differences in intercept between groups. These results suggest that OC users instead of using rotation in mind strategy implemented some alternative method(s). We conclude that lower performance accuracy of OC users could be related to a less efficient performance strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramune Griksiene
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Monciunskaite
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aurina Arnatkeviciute
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Osvaldas Ruksenas
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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30
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Huber S, Nuerk HC, Reips UD, Soltanlou M. Individual differences influence two-digit number processing, but not their analog magnitude processing: a large-scale online study. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 83:1444-1464. [PMID: 29275433 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-017-0964-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Symbolic magnitude comparison is one of the most well-studied cognitive processes in research on numerical cognition. However, while the cognitive mechanisms of symbolic magnitude processing have been intensively studied, previous studies have paid less attention to individual differences influencing symbolic magnitude comparison. Employing a two-digit number comparison task in an online setting, we replicated previous effects, including the distance effect, the unit-decade compatibility effect, and the effect of cognitive control on the adaptation to filler items, in a large-scale study in 452 adults. Additionally, we observed that the most influential individual differences were participants' first language, time spent playing computer games and gender, followed by reported alcohol consumption, age and mathematical ability. Participants who used a first language with a left-to-right reading/writing direction were faster than those who read and wrote in the right-to-left direction. Reported playing time for computer games was correlated with faster reaction times. Female participants showed slower reaction times and a larger unit-decade compatibility effect than male participants. Participants who reported never consuming alcohol showed overall slower response times than others. Older participants were slower, but more accurate. Finally, higher grades in mathematics were associated with faster reaction times. We conclude that typical experiments on numerical cognition that employ a keyboard as an input device can also be run in an online setting. Moreover, while individual differences have no influence on domain-specific magnitude processing-apart from age, which increases the decade distance effect-they generally influence performance on a two-digit number comparison task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Huber
- Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Nuerk
- Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Mojtaba Soltanlou
- Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tuebingen, Germany. .,Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. .,LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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31
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Kerschbaum HH, Hofbauer I, Gföllner A, Ebner B, Bresgen N, Bäuml KHT. Sex, age, and sex hormones affect recall of words in a directed forgetting paradigm. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:251-259. [PMID: 27870411 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During the course of serious discussion, an unexpected interruption may induce forgetting of the original topic of a conversation. Sex, age, and sex hormone levels may affect frequency and extension of forgetting. In a list-method directed forgetting paradigm, subjects have to learn two word lists. After learning list 1, subjects receive either a forget or a remember list 1 cue. When the participants had learned list 2 and completed a distraction task, they were asked to write down as many recalled items as possible, starting either with list 1 or list 2 items. In the present study, 96 naturally cycling women, 60 oral contraceptive users, 56 postmenopausal women, and 41 young men were assigned to one of these different experimental conditions. Forget-cued young subjects recall fewer list 1 items (list 1 forgetting) but more list 2 items (list 2 enhancement) compared with remember-cued subjects. However, forget-cued postmenopausal women showed reduced list 1 forgetting but enhanced list 2 retention. Remember-cued naturally cycling women recalled more list 1 items than oral contraceptive users, young men, and postmenopausal women. In forget-cued follicular women, salivary progesterone correlated positively with recalled list 2 items. Salivary 17β-estradiol did not correlate with recalled list 1 or list 2 items in either remember- or forget-cued young women. However, salivary 17β-estradiol correlated with item recall in remember-cued postmenopausal women. Our findings suggest that sex hormones do not globally modulate verbal memory or forgetting, but selectively affect cue-specific processing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert H Kerschbaum
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ildiko Hofbauer
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna Gföllner
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Birgit Ebner
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nikolaus Bresgen
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Kollndorfer K, Ohrenberger I, Schöpf V. Contraceptive Use Affects Overall Olfactory Performance: Investigation of Estradiol Dosage and Duration of Intake. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167520. [PMID: 28002464 PMCID: PMC5176159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of female sex steroids on cognitive performance and sensory perception has been investigated for decades. However, previous research that studied olfaction revealed inconsistent results. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different ethinyl estradiol (EE) concentrations of oral contraceptives and duration of intake on olfactory function. Forty-two healthy women, with regular intake of either high or low EE dosage over at least one year and up to 15 years participated in this study. Results revealed a significant concordance between a priori categorization in the two groups with high and low EE dosage and data-driven hierarchical clustering (p = 0.008). Furthermore, significantly higher olfactory performance was observed in women using low-dose products compared to women using high-dosed products (p = 0.019). These findings indicate different effects of pill use with regard to EE concentration. We therefore strongly recommend the acquisition of information about EE dosage of oral contraceptives to reduce potential confounding factors when investigating sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Kollndorfer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Ohrenberger
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Schöpf
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Pletzer B. Sex differences in number processing: Differential systems for subtraction and multiplication were confirmed in men, but not in women. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39064. [PMID: 27966612 PMCID: PMC5155285 DOI: 10.1038/srep39064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies suggest segregated neuronal systems underlying number magnitude processing (e.g. subtraction) and arithmetic fact retrieval (e.g. multiplication). While number magnitude processing is thought to rely on the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) bilaterally, arithmetic fact retrieval is thought to rely on the left angular gyrus (AG). However, evidence from brain damaged patients and brain stimulation challenges this view and suggests considerable overlap between the systems underlying number magnitude processing and arithmetic fact retrieval. This study investigates, whether sex differences in number processing can account for these conflicting findings. A subtraction and a multiplication task were administered to 40 men and 34 women in their luteal phase during functional MRI. Replicating previous studies in men, we found the IPS to be more strongly activated during subtraction than multiplication, and the AG to be more strongly activated during multiplication than subtraction. However, no differences between the two tasks were observed in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology &Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg Austria
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34
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Hamstra DA, de Kloet ER, Tollenaar M, Verkuil B, Manai M, Putman P, Van der Does W. Mineralocorticoid receptor haplotype moderates the effects of oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle on emotional information processing. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:1054-61. [PMID: 27222270 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116647504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The processing of emotional information is affected by menstrual cycle phase and by the use of oral contraceptives (OCs). The stress hormone cortisol is known to affect emotional information processing via the limbic mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). OBJECTIVES We investigated in an exploratory study whether the MR-genotype moderates the effect of both OC-use and menstrual cycle phase on emotional cognition. METHODS Healthy premenopausal volunteers (n=93) of West-European descent completed a battery of emotional cognition tests. Forty-nine participants were OC users and 44 naturally cycling, 21 of whom were tested in the early follicular (EF) and 23 in the mid-luteal (ML) phase of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS In MR-haplotype 1/3 carriers, ML women gambled more than EF women when their risk to lose was relatively small. In MR-haplotype 2, ML women gambled more than EF women, regardless of their odds of winning. OC-users with MR-haplotype 1/3 recognised fewer facial expressions than ML women with MR-haplotype 1/3. CONCLUSION MR-haplotype 1/3 carriers may be more sensitive to the influence of their female hormonal status. MR-haplotype 2 carriers showed more risky decision-making. As this may reflect optimistic expectations, this finding may support previous observations in female carriers of MR-haplotype 2 in a naturalistic cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Hamstra
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Tollenaar
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Verkuil
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Meriem Manai
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Putman
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Willem Van der Does
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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35
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Vigil P, Del Río JP, Carrera BÁ, ArÁnguiz FC, Rioseco H, Cortés ME. Influence of sex steroid hormones on the adolescent brain and behavior: An update. LINACRE QUARTERLY 2016; 83:308-329. [PMID: 27833209 DOI: 10.1080/00243639.2016.1211863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This review explains the main effects exerted by sex steroids and other hormones on the adolescent brain. During the transition from puberty to adolescence, these hormones participate in the organizational phenomena that structurally shape some brain circuits. In adulthood, this will propitiate some specific behavior as responses to the hormones now activating those neural circuits. Adolescence is, then, a critical "organizational window" for the brain to develop adequately, since steroid hormones perform important functions at this stage. For this reason, the adolescent years are very important for future behaviors in human beings. Changes that occur or fail to occur during adolescence will determine behaviors for the rest of one's lifetime. Consequently, understanding the link between adolescent behavior and brain development as influenced by sex steroids and other hormones and compounds is very important in order to interpret various psycho-affective pathologies. Lay Summary : The effect of steroid hormones on the development of the adolescent brain, and therefore, on adolescent behavior, is noticeable. This review presents their main activational and organizational effects. During the transition from puberty to adolescence, organizational phenomena triggered by steroids structurally affect the remodeling of brain circuits. Later in adulthood, these changes will be reflected in behavioral responses to such hormones. Adolescence can then be seen as a fundamental "organizational window" during which sex steroids and other hormones and compounds play relevant roles. The understanding of the relationship between adolescent behavior and the way hormones influence brain development help understand some psychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Vigil
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicerrectoría de Comunicaciones, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Division, Reproductive Health Research Institute, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Del Río
- Biomedical Division, Reproductive Health Research Institute, Santiago, Chile; Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - BÁrbara Carrera
- Biomedical Division, Reproductive Health Research Institute, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Hernán Rioseco
- Biomedical Division, Reproductive Health Research Institute, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel E Cortés
- Biomedical Division, Reproductive Health Research Institute, Santiago, Chile; Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Facultad de Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Santiago, Chile
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36
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Pletzer B, Crone JS, Kronbichler M, Kerschbaum H. Menstrual Cycle and Hormonal Contraceptive-Dependent Changes in Intrinsic Connectivity of Resting-State Brain Networks Correspond to Behavioral Changes Due to Hormonal Status. Brain Connect 2016; 6:572-85. [PMID: 27239684 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2015.0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Menstrual cycle-dependent changes have been reported for a variety of functions, including cognition, attention, emotion, inhibition, and perception. For several of these functions, an effect of hormonal contraceptives has also been discussed. Cognitive, attentional, emotional, inhibitory, and perceptual functions have been linked to distinct intrinsic connectivity networks during the resting state. However, changes in resting-state connectivity across the menstrual cycle phase and due to hormonal contraceptive use have only been investigated in two selected networks and without controlling for the type of hormonal contraceptives. In the present study, we demonstrate menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive-dependent changes in several intrinsic connectivity networks, including networks that have been related to emotion processing, olfaction, audition, vision, coordination, and two lateralized frontoparietal networks related to a variety of cognitive functions. These changes parallel behavioral changes in the functions associated with these networks. Changes in connectivity and changes in behavior occur during the same cycle phases. Furthermore, hormonal contraceptive-dependent effects were observed in the same networks and same target sites as menstrual cycle-related changes and were dependent on the androgenicity of the progestin component contained in the hormonal contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- 1 Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria .,2 Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Sophia Crone
- 2 Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria .,3 Department of Psychology, UCLA , Los Angeles, California
| | - Martin Kronbichler
- 2 Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hubert Kerschbaum
- 2 Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria .,4 Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria
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Chung KC, Springer I, Kogler L, Turetsky B, Freiherr J, Derntl B. The influence of androstadienone during psychosocial stress is modulated by gender, trait anxiety and subjective stress: An fMRI study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 68:126-39. [PMID: 26970712 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Androstadienone (ANDR), a bodily secreted steroid compound, is a socially relevant chemosignal that modulates subjective and (neuro)physiological responses, predominantly in females. The impact of ANDR on stress responses in males and females has not been explored. Therefore, this fMRI study aimed to examine psychosocial stress reactions induced by mental arithmetic and social evaluation on behavioral and hormonal levels (46 participants: 15 naturally cycling females in their early follicular phase (EF), 15 females on hormonal contraceptives (HC) and 16 males); and on a neural level (40 participants: 13 EF-females, 13 HC-females and 14 males) in an ANDR and placebo treatment repeated-measures design. While no gender differences emerged in subjective ratings and performance during stress, neural activation patterns differed significantly. Besides, ANDR attenuated the post-stress increase of negative mood in all participants. Region of interest analyses showed that irrespective of treatment, males showed stronger activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) than females. At the whole brain level, gender differences emerged indicating stronger fronto-parietal activation in males compared to HC-females on both treatments. Males showed stronger visual and fusiform activation than EF-females under ANDR. Both female groups did not show stronger activation than males. Further, error ratio in the ANDR-stress condition was positively associated with their post-stress cortisol level and increase in subjective stress in males; and male DLPFC activity in the ANDR-stress condition was negatively associated with trait anxiety. Surprisingly, compared to HC-females, EF-female only showed stronger activation of arousal-related areas under placebo treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that the male stress reaction under social evaluative threat was stronger than female stress reactions as a function of ANDR. More specifically, this effect on behavioral and neural stress reactions seems to depend on trait anxiety in males only. The study highlights the significance of a chemosignal in enhancing social threat that may facilitate adaptive stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - I Springer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - L Kogler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; JARA, Translational Brain Medicine, Aachen, Germany; Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-1, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - B Turetsky
- Neuropsychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - J Freiherr
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Giggenhauserstr. 35, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - B Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; JARA, Translational Brain Medicine, Aachen, Germany; Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine, INM-1, Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Allen AM, McRae-Clark AL, Carlson S, Saladin ME, Gray KM, Wetherington CL, McKee SA, Allen SS. Determining menstrual phase in human biobehavioral research: A review with recommendations. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2016; 24:1-11. [PMID: 26570992 PMCID: PMC4821777 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Given the volume and importance of research focusing on menstrual phase, a review of the strategies being used to identify menstrual phase and recommendations that will promote methodological uniformity in the field is needed. We conducted a literature review via Ovid Medline and PsycINFO. Our goal was to review methods used to identify menstrual phase and subphases in biobehavioral research studies with women who had physiologically natural menstrual cycles. Therefore, we excluded articles that focused on any of the following: use of exogenous hormones, the postpartum period, menstrual-related problems (e.g., polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis), and infertility/anovulation. We also excluded articles on either younger (<18 years old) or older (>45 years old) study samples. We initially identified a total of 1,809 articles. After our exclusionary criteria were applied, 146 articles remained, within which our review identified 6 different methods used to identify menstrual phase and subphases. The most common method used was self-report of onset of menses (145/146 articles) followed by urine luteinizing hormone testing (50/146 articles) and measurement of hormones (estradiol and/or progesterone) in blood samples (49/146 articles). Overall, we found a lack of consistency in the methodology used to determine menstrual phase and subphases. We provide several options to improve accuracy of phase identification, as well as to minimize costs and burden. Adoption of these recommendations will decrease misclassification within individual studies, facilitate cross-study comparisons, and enhance the reproducibility of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. Allen
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota; Mailing Address: 717 Delaware Street SE, Room 422, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 55414
| | - Aimee L. McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina; Mailing Address: 67 President Street, Charleston, SC, USA 29425
| | - Samantha Carlson
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota; Mailing Address: 717 Delaware Street SE, Room 400, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 55414
| | - Michael E. Saladin
- Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina; Mailing Address: 77 President St., Charleston, SC, USA 29425
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina; Mailing Address: 125 Doughty Street, Suite 190, MSC861, Charleston SC, USA 29425
| | - Cora Lee Wetherington
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health; Mailing Address: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 3155, Bethesda, MD, USA 20892-9593
| | - Sherry A. McKee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine; Mailing Address: 2 Church St. South, #109, New Haven, CT, USA 06519
| | - Sharon S. Allen
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota; Mailing Address: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 381 Mayo, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 55455
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Hwang MJ, Zsido RG, Song H, Pace-Schott EF, Miller KK, Lebron-Milad K, Marin MF, Milad MR. Contribution of estradiol levels and hormonal contraceptives to sex differences within the fear network during fear conditioning and extinction. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:295. [PMID: 26581193 PMCID: PMC4652367 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0673-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Findings about sex differences in the field of fear conditioning and fear extinction have been mixed. At the psychophysiological level, sex differences emerge only when taking estradiol levels of women into consideration. This suggests that this hormone may also influence sex differences with regards to activations of brain regions involved in fear conditioning and its extinction. Importantly, the neurobiological correlates associated with the use of hormonal oral contraceptives in women have not been fully contrasted against men and against naturally cycling women with different levels of estradiol. In this study, we begin to fill these scientific gaps. METHODS We recruited 37 healthy men and 48 healthy women. Of these women, 16 were using oral contraceptives (OC) and 32 were naturally cycling. For these naturally cycling women, a median split was performed on their serum estradiol levels to create a high estradiol (HE) group (n = 16) and a low estradiol (LE) group (n = 16). All participants underwent a 2-day fear conditioning and extinction paradigm in a 3 T MR scanner. Using the 4 groups (men, HE women, LE women, and OC users) and controlling for age and coil type, one-way ANCOVAs were performed to look at significant activations within the nodes of the fear circuit. Using post-hoc analyses, beta-weights were extracted in brain regions showing significant effects in order to unveil the differences based on hormonal status (men, HE, LE, OC). RESULTS Significant main effect of hormonal status group was found across the different phases of the experiment and in different sub-regions of the insular and cingulate cortices, amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. During conditioning, extinction and recall, most of the observed differences suggested higher activations among HE women relative to men. During the unconditioned response, however, a different pattern was observed with men showing significantly higher brain activations. CONCLUSIONS Our data further support the important contribution of estradiol levels in the activation of brain regions underlying fear learning and extinction. The results highlight the need to document gonadal hormonal levels, menstrual cycle phase as well as oral contraceptive use in women in order to avoid overlooking sex differences when investigating the neurobiology of emotional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Jung Hwang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Rachel G. Zsido
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Huijin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Edward F. Pace-Schott
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Karen Klahr Miller
- Department of Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Kelimer Lebron-Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Mohammed R. Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, CNY 149 13th Street Room 2508, Charlestown, Boston, MA 02129 USA
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40
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Pletzer B. Editorial: From sex differences in neuroscience to a neuroscience of sex differences: new directions and perspectives. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:330. [PMID: 26441504 PMCID: PMC4585126 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
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41
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Pletzer B, Petasis O, Ortner TM, Cahill L. Interactive effects of culture and sex hormones on the sex role self-concept. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:240. [PMID: 26236181 PMCID: PMC4500910 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex role orientation, i.e., a person's masculinity or femininity, influences cognitive and emotional performance, like biological sex. While it is now widely accepted that sex differences are modulated by the hormonal status of female participants (menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptive use), the question, whether hormonal status and sex hormones also modulate participants sex role orientation has hardly been addressed previously. The present study assessed sex role orientation and hormonal status as well as sex hormone levels in three samples of participants from two different cultures (Northern American, Middle European). Menstrual cycle phase did not affect participant's masculinity or femininity, but had a significant impact on reference group. While women in their follicular phase (low levels of female sex hormones) determined their masculinity and femininity in reference to men, women in their luteal phase (high levels of female sex hormones) determined their masculinity and femininity in reference to women. Hormonal contraceptive users rated themselves as significantly more feminine and less masculine than naturally cycling women. Furthermore, the impact of biological sex on the factorial structure of sex role orientation as well as the relationship of estrogen to masculinity/femininity was modulated by culture. We conclude that culture and sex hormones interactively affect sex role orientation and hormonal status of participants should be controlled for when assessing masculinity and/or femininity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg Salzburg, Austria ; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg Salzburg, Austria ; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California California, CA, USA
| | - Ourania Petasis
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California California, CA, USA
| | - Tuulia M Ortner
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg Salzburg, Austria
| | - Larry Cahill
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California California, CA, USA
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42
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Perfluoroalkyl substances and ovarian hormone concentrations in naturally cycling women. Fertil Steril 2015; 103:1261-70.e3. [PMID: 25747128 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine associations between environmental exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and ovarian hormone concentrations in naturally cycling women. DESIGN E2 and P were measured in saliva samples collected daily for a single menstrual cycle and concentrations of PFASs (including perfluoroctane sulfonate [PFOS] and perfluoroctanoic acid) were measured in serum samples collected during the same cycle. SETTING Not applicable. PATIENT(S) A total of 178 healthy, naturally cycling women, aged 25-35 years. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Mean follicular E2 (cycle days -7 to -1, where 0 is the day of ovulation); mean luteal P (cycle days +2 to 10). RESULT(S) Among nulliparous, but not parous women, PFOS concentrations were inversely associated with E2 (β = -0.025, 95% CI -0.043, -0.007) and P (β = -0.027, 95% CI -0.048, -0.007). Similar, but weaker results were observed for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. No associations were observed between other PFASs (including perfluoroctanoic acid) and ovarian steroid concentrations, nor were any associations noted in parous women. CONCLUSION(S) Our results demonstrate that PFOS and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid may be associated with decreased production of E2 and P in reproductive age women. These results suggest a possible mechanism by which PFASs affect women's health, and underscore the importance of parity in research on PFASs and women's reproductive health.
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43
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Pletzer B. Sex-specific strategy use and global-local processing: a perspective toward integrating sex differences in cognition. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:425. [PMID: 25565953 PMCID: PMC4273628 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the literature on sex-specific strategy use in cognitive tasks with the aim to carve out a link between sex differences in different cognitive tasks. I conclude that male strategies are commonly holistic and oriented toward global stimulus aspects, while female strategies are commonly decomposed and oriented toward local stimulus aspects. Thus, the strategies observed in different tasks, may depend on sex differences in attentional focus and hence sex differences in global-local processing. I hypothesize that strategy use may be sex hormone dependent and hence subject to change over the menstrual cycle as evidenced by findings in global-local processing and emotional memory. Furthermore, I propose sex hormonal modulation of hemispheric asymmetries as one possible neural substrate for this theory, thereby building on older theories, emphasizing the importance of sex differences in brain lateralization. The ideas described in the current article represent a perspective toward a unifying approach to the study of sex differences in cognition and their neural correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron University SalzburgSalzburg, Austria
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44
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Hamstra DA, de Kloet ER, van Hemert AM, de Rijk RH, Van der Does AJW. Mineralocorticoid receptor haplotype, oral contraceptives and emotional information processing. Neuroscience 2014; 286:412-22. [PMID: 25497375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral contraceptives (OCs) affect mood in some women and may have more subtle effects on emotional information processing in many more users. Female carriers of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) haplotype 2 have been shown to be more optimistic and less vulnerable to depression. AIM To investigate the effects of oral contraceptives on emotional information processing and a possible moderating effect of MR haplotype. METHODS Cross-sectional study in 85 healthy premenopausal women of West-European descent. RESULTS We found significant main effects of oral contraceptives on facial expression recognition, emotional memory and decision-making. Furthermore, carriers of MR haplotype 1 or 3 were sensitive to the impact of OCs on the recognition of sad and fearful faces and on emotional memory, whereas MR haplotype 2 carriers were not. LIMITATIONS Different compounds of OCs were included. No hormonal measures were taken. Most naturally cycling participants were assessed in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS Carriers of MR haplotype 2 may be less sensitive to depressogenic side-effects of OCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Hamstra
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - E R de Kloet
- Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - A M van Hemert
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - R H de Rijk
- DynaCorts Therapeutics, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - A J W Van der Does
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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45
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De Bondt T, De Belder F, Vanhevel F, Jacquemyn Y, Parizel PM. Prefrontal GABA concentration changes in women-Influence of menstrual cycle phase, hormonal contraceptive use, and correlation with premenstrual symptoms. Brain Res 2014; 1597:129-38. [PMID: 25481417 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal regions are involved in processing emotional stimuli and are a topic of interest in clinical and neurological research. Although sex steroids are potent neuromodulators, the influence of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal contraceptive use is rarely taken into account in neuroimaging studies. Our purpose was to evaluate changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in women, as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), with phases of the menstrual cycle and use of hormonal contraceptives, and to assess correlations with premenstrual symptoms.Three MRI sessions per cycle were obtained in the natural cycle group, and two sessions in the hormonal contraceptives group. In addition to an anatomical scan, single voxel MRS in the prefrontal area was performed. After quality control, 10 women with natural cycle and 21 women taking hormonal contraceptives were included for analysis. Peripheral blood samples were obtained to determine endogenous hormone concentrations. Subjects were asked to complete a daily rating of severity of problems questionnaire, to quantify premenstrual symptoms. In the natural cycle group, we found a significant increase in prefrontal GABA concentration at the time of ovulation. Conversely, in the hormonal contraceptives group, no differences were found between the pill phase and pill-free phase. GABA concentrations did not significantly correlate with endogenous hormone levels, nor with premenstrual symptoms. Our results indicate that spectroscopically measured GABA concentrations are higher during ovulation in women with a natural menstrual cycle. We suggest that neuroimaging studies should take into account this variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo De Bondt
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Frank De Belder
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Floris Vanhevel
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Yves Jacquemyn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Paul M Parizel
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital & University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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46
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Toffoletto S, Lanzenberger R, Gingnell M, Sundström-Poromaa I, Comasco E. Emotional and cognitive functional imaging of estrogen and progesterone effects in the female human brain: a systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 50:28-52. [PMID: 25222701 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian hormones are pivotal for the physiological maintenance of the brain function as well as its response to environmental stimuli. There is mounting evidence attesting the relevance of endogenous ovarian hormones as well as exogenous estradiol and progesterone for emotional and cognitive processing. The present review systematically summarized current knowledge on sex steroid hormonal modulation of neural substrates of emotion and cognition revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-four studies of healthy naturally cycling and combined oral contraceptives (COC) user women, or women undergoing experimental manipulations, during their reproductive age, were included. Furthermore, six studies of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a hormonally based mood disorder, and three of gender dysphoria (GD), which provides an intriguing opportunity to examine the effect of high-dose cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) on brain functioning, were included. Globally, low (early follicular and the entire follicular phase for estrogen and progesterone, respectively) and high (COC, CSHT, late follicular and luteal phase for estrogen; COC, mid- and late-luteal phase for progesterone) hormonal milieu diversely affected the response of several brain regions including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus, but their functional recruitment across groups and domains was scattered. The constellation of findings provides initial evidence of the influence of sex steroid hormones on cortical and subcortical regions implicated in emotional and cognitive processing. Further well-powered and multimodal neuroimaging studies will be needed to identify the neural mechanism of functional brain alterations induced by sex steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Malin Gingnell
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Women's & Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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47
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The Effects of Ethinylestradiol and Progestins (“the pill”) on Cognitive Function in Pre-menopausal Women. Neurochem Res 2014; 39:2288-300. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1444-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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48
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Pletzer BA, Kerschbaum HH. 50 years of hormonal contraception-time to find out, what it does to our brain. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:256. [PMID: 25191220 PMCID: PMC4139599 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are on the market for more than 50 years and used by 100 million women worldwide. However, while endogenous steroids have been convincingly associated with change in brain structure, function and cognitive performance, the effects of synthetic steroids contained in hormonal contraceptives on brain and cognition have barely been investigated. In this article we summarize the sparse findings, describing brain structural, functional and behavioral findings from the literature and suggest that synthetic steroids may contribute to masculinizing as well as feminizing effects on brain and behavior. We try to identify methodological challenges, explain, how results on endogenous steroids may transfer into research on hormonal contraceptives and point out factors that need to be controlled in the study of hormonal contraceptive dependent effects. We conclude that there is a strong need for more systematic studies, especially on brain structural, functional and cognitive changes due to hormonal contraceptive use. The hormonal contraceptive pill is the major tool for population control. Hence, such behavioral changes could cause a shift in society dynamics and should not stay unattended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda A Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg Salzburg, Austria ; Center of Neurocognitive Research, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hubert H Kerschbaum
- Center of Neurocognitive Research, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg Salzburg, Austria ; Department of Cell Biology, Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg Salzburg, Austria
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49
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Brötzner CP, Klimesch W, Doppelmayr M, Zauner A, Kerschbaum HH. Resting state alpha frequency is associated with menstrual cycle phase, estradiol and use of oral contraceptives. Brain Res 2014; 1577:36-44. [PMID: 25010817 PMCID: PMC4152552 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ongoing intrinsic brain activity in resting, but awake humans is dominated by alpha oscillations. In human, individual alpha frequency (IAF) is associated with cognitive performance. Noticeable, performance in cognitive and emotional tasks in women is associated with menstrual cycle phase and sex hormone levels, respectively. In the present study, we correlated frequency of alpha oscillation in resting women with menstrual cycle phase, sex hormone level, or use of oral contraceptives. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 57 women (aged 24.07 ± 3.67 years) having a natural menstrual cycle as well as from 57 women (aged 22.37 ± 2.20 years) using oral contraceptives while they sat in an armchair with eyes closed. Alpha frequency was related to the menstrual cycle phase. Luteal women showed highest and late follicular women showed lowest IAF or center frequency. Furthermore, IAF as well as center frequency correlated negatively with endogenous estradiol level, but did not reveal an association with endogenous progesterone. Women using oral contraceptives showed an alpha frequency similar to women in the early follicular phase. We suggest that endogenous estradiol modulate resting alpha frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina P Brötzner
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Klimesch
- Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Doppelmayr
- Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Department of Sportscience, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrea Zauner
- Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hubert H Kerschbaum
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Neurocognitive, Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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50
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Mechanisms of estradiol in fear circuitry: implications for sex differences in psychopathology. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e422. [PMID: 25093600 PMCID: PMC4150242 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, substantial knowledge has been attained about the mechanisms underlying the acquisition and subsequent extinction of conditioned fear. Knowledge gained on the biological basis of Pavlovian conditioning has led to the general acceptance that fear extinction may be a useful model in understanding the underlying mechanisms in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders and may also be a good model for current therapies treating these disorders. Lacking in the current knowledge is how men and women may or may not differ in the biology of fear and its extinction. It is also unclear how the neural correlates of fear extinction may mediate sex differences in the etiology, maintenance, and prevalence of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we begin by highlighting the epidemiological differences in incidence rate. We then discuss how estradiol (E2), a primary gonadal hormone, may modulate the mechanisms of fear extinction and mediate some of the sex differences observed in psychiatric disorders.
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