Reproducible stability of verbal and spatial functions along the menstrual cycle

Abstract

Recent studies have reported brain changes in response to ovarian hormonal fluctuations along the menstrual cycle. However, it remains unclear, whether these brain changes are of an adaptive nature or whether they are linked to changes in behavior along the menstrual cycle, particularly with respect to cognitive performance. To address this knowledge gap, we report results from 3 well-powered behavioral studies with different task designs, leveraging the advantages of each design type. In all three studies we assessed whether verbal or spatial performance (i) differed between cycle phases, (ii) were related to estradiol and / or progesterone levels and (iii) were moderated by individual hormone sensitivity as estimated by premenstrual symptoms. Overall, results of all three studies point towards a null effect of menstrual cycle phase and – to a lesser extent – ovarian hormones on verbal and spatial performance and provided no evidence for a moderation of this effect by individual hormone sensitivity. We conclude that there is substantial consistency in verbal and spatial performance across the menstrual cycle, and that future studies of intra-individual variation are needed.

Menopause status- and sex-related differences in age associations with spatial context memory and white matter microstructure at midlife

“…It is possible, therefore, that menstrual cycle-related variability in memory function may have contributed to the lack of age effects among this group. However, recent research showing that verbal and spatial cognition remain relatively stable across the menstrual cycle casts some doubt on this (Pletzer et al, 2024). Second, we did not examine the role of white matter hyper-intensities (WMHs) in our sample.…”

“…It is possible, therefore, that menstrual cycle-related variability in the structure and/or function of regions involved in episodic memory (Dubol et al, 2021; Zsido et al, 2023) may have contributed to the lack of age effects among this group. However, recent research showing that verbal and spatial cognition remain relatively stable across the menstrual cycle casts some doubt on this, instead suggesting that such variability – if present – is adaptive and may not necessarily influence cognitive function (Pletzer et al, 2024). Second, while it is our view that chronological and reproductive aging constitute synergistic processes, we were unable to comprehensively examine age-independent effects of menopause status due to the observed age differences between our pre- and post-menopausal groups.…”