Share:
Monthly cycles Diminishing hormone levels affect the structures in the female brain
The female cycle often leads to very rapid mood swings due to the fluctuating hormone levels. Even the brain changes in time with this cycle, as shown in a study. The new findings are an important step to explore the connections behind the so-called premenstrual dysphoria.
Up and down of the hormones
Women experience the ups and downs of hormones every month during their menstrual cycle. These fluctuations seem to affect significantly more than the change between fertile and infertile days. According to a report from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig, the fluctuating hormone level changes the structure of the brain in astonishing regularity. This is confirmed by results of scientists from the institute.
The menstrual cycle in women leads to a constant ups and downs of feelings. Scientists have now found that the fluctuating hormone level even changes the structure of the brain. (Image: Sergey Nivens / fotolia.com) Variations in brain structure
"We have found that in parallel with increasing estrogen levels to ovulation, the volume of the hippocampus also increases - both its gray matter and its white matter," said Claudia Barth, who was instrumental in the study. The results were published in the journal "Nature Scientific Reports".
According to their own statements, researchers are not yet able to say how the fluctuations in this brain structure have a concrete effect on behavior and special mental abilities. But you have a guess: "The hippocampus plays a central role in our memory, our mood, our emotions. In mice, it has already been established that not only the hippocampus, but also various behaviors are subject to a kind of monthly cycle. "
Particularly receptive in certain phases of the monthly cycle
Further investigations will show, if these observations can be transferred to humans. "For example, if it turns out that women are particularly receptive at certain stages of their menstrual cycle, it could potentially be used for therapies," said the neuroscientist. These could then be targeted at the best times when women are particularly well able to absorb new things.
Research on premenstrual dysphoria
At the same time, the researchers use their findings to lay the foundation for their overarching goal: to explore the neuroscientific relationships behind so-called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD for short. According to the information, about every twelfth woman in the days "before her days" is affected by this disease.
They then suffer from particularly severe physical and psychological complaints, such as lack of drive or mood swings, which are similar to a depressive episode. "To understand the neural processes behind this ailment, we must first find out which monthly rhythm the brain of a healthy woman follows. Only then can we pinpoint the differences with those affected by PMDD, "said study leader Julia Sacher. (Ad)