--- title: How do changes in brain chemistry during the menstrual cycle affect memory and thinking? description: In mice, certain brain receptors change levels during the ovarian cycle, affecting brain wave patterns in a way that may explain memory and thinking problems url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ovarian-cycle-linked-plasticity-of-gabaa-receptor-subunits-in-hippocampal-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do changes in brain chemistry during the menstrual cycle affect memory and thinking? Lab study, 2014 # How do changes in brain chemistry during the menstrual cycle affect memory and thinking? In mice, certain brain receptors change levels during the ovarian cycle, affecting brain wave patterns in a way that may explain memory and thinking problems in women with PMS or PMDD. Early or limited evidence Female mice during their ovarian cycle ## What they did Researchers measured levels of specific brain receptors (delta-GABAARs) in different parts of the brain throughout the menstrual cycle in female mice and recorded their brain wave patterns. ## What they found During the diestrus phase of the cycle, these receptors were more active on certain brain cells, which decreased brain wave magnitude. During estrus, these changes reversed. These patterns happened repeatedly throughout the cycle. ## What it means for you Cycling changes in brain chemistry may explain why women with PMS or PMDD experience memory and thinking difficulties. The limitation is that this was studied only in mice, not in people. 30-120 Hz (frequency range of brain waves studied) ## About the study Original title Ovarian cycle-linked plasticity of δ-GABAA receptor subunits in hippocampal interneurons affects γ oscillations in vivo Authors Barth AM, Ferando I, Mody I Journal Frontiers in cellular neuroscience Year 2014 Study design Lab study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2014.00222](https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2014.00222) Original abstract GABAA receptors containing δ subunits (δ-GABAARs) are GABA-gated ion channels with extra- and perisynaptic localization, strong sensitivity to neurosteroids (NS), and a high degree of plasticity. In selective brain regions they are expressed on specific principal cells and interneurons (INs), and generate a tonic conductance that controls neuronal excitability and oscillations. Plasticity of δ-GABAARs in principal cells has been described during states of altered NS synthesis including acute stress, puberty, ovarian cycle, pregnancy and the postpartum period, with direct consequences on neuronal excitability and network dynamics. The defining network events implicated in cognitive function, memory formation and encoding are γ oscillations (30-120 Hz), a well-timed loop of excitation and inhibition between principal cells and PV-expressing INs (PV + INs). The δ-GABAARs of INs can modify γ oscillations, and a lower expression of δ-GABAARs on INs during pregnancy alters γ frequency recorded in vitro. The ovarian cycle is another physiological event with large fluctuations in NS levels and δ-GABAARs. Stages of the cycle are paralleled by swings in memory performance, cognitive function, and mood in both humans and rodents. Here we show δ-GABAARs changes during the mouse ovarian cycle in hippocampal cell types, with enhanced expression during diestrus in principal cells and specific INs. The plasticity of δ-GABAARs on PV-INs decreases the magnitude of γ oscillations continuously recorded in area CA1 throughout several days in vivo during diestrus and increases it during estrus. Such recurring changes in γ magnitude were not observed in non-cycling wild-type (WT) females, cycling females lacking δ-GABAARs only on PV-INs (PV-Gabrd (-/-)), and in male mice during a time course equivalent to the ovarian cycle. Our findings may explain the impaired memory and cognitive performance experienced by women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2014 Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD? Survey study, 2009 Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2022 What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied? Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Review, 2025 How does the menstrual cycle affect ADHD symptoms and concentration? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗