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.
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
Topics
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