---
title: Is reduced thinking ability linked to nervous system changes in women with PMS?
description: Yes. Women with PMS showed increased activity in the part of the nervous system that speeds up the heart and body, and had reduced thinking and memory ability
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/decreased-cognition-is-associated-with-altered-cardiovascular-autonomic-2022/
---

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- Is reduced thinking ability linked to nervous system changes in women with PMS?

Survey study, 2022

# Is reduced thinking ability linked to nervous system changes in women with PMS?

Yes. Women with PMS showed increased activity in the part of the nervous system that speeds up the heart and body, and had reduced thinking and memory ability compared to women without PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

20 women with PMS and 20 women without PMS.

## What they did

A small pilot study comparing 20 women with PMS to 20 women without PMS. Researchers tested how their nervous systems worked and measured thinking ability with a questionnaire and a brain test.

## What they found

Women with PMS had increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight part) and lower scores on thinking and memory tests compared to women without PMS.

## What it means for you

Hormonal changes in PMS might affect how the nervous system works, which could affect brain function. However, this is a very small pilot study with only 20 women in each group, so results need testing in larger groups. We also cannot tell if the nervous system change causes the thinking problems or if something else explains both.

20

women with PMS

20

women without PMS

## About the study

Original title Decreased cognition is associated with altered cardiovascular autonomic functions and decreased baroreflex sensitivity in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Jothi Marie Feula, Dhanalakshmi Yerrabelli, Gopal Pal et al. Journal Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 20 What was tested None - a comparison between groups. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.22543/7674.91.p181186](https://doi.org/10.22543/7674.91.p181186)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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