Article
Physiology
Bethany D. D. Skinner, Samuel R. C. Weaver, Samuel J. E. Lucas, Rebekah A. I. Lucas
Summary: This study compared cerebrovascular-CO2 responsiveness between females in different phases of the menstrual cycle and males, and found that females have enhanced vasoconstrictive capacity of the middle cerebral artery during ovulation and mid-luteal phase, while males have weaker cerebrovascular-CO2 responsiveness.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Katie M. Linstra, Khatera Ibrahimi, Daphne S. van Casteren, Marieke J. H. Wermer, Gisela M. Terwindt, Antoinette MaassenVandenBrink
Summary: This study investigated pain perception in women with menstrually-related migraine throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle. Results showed that women with migraine had lower levels of trigeminal pain compared to healthy controls throughout the cycle, indicating that pain perception varies during the menstrual cycle.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Aleksandra Kosza Koszalka, Klaudia Lustyk, Karolina Pytka
Summary: This review discusses the recent progress in understanding the biological sex differences in cognition and highlights the challenges encountered in such research. It focuses on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as executive functions such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Emily A. Parker, Alex M. Meyer, Jessica E. Goetz, Michael C. Willey, Robert W. Westermann
Summary: This review assesses the impact of relaxin on the incidence of soft tissue hip injuries in women. The findings suggest that relaxin activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) loosens pelvic ligaments, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in the hip joint and other joints. The presence of relaxin receptors in periarticular tissues, such as the anterior cruciate ligament, further supports the association between relaxin and increased injury risk.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhou Bingzheng, Zhao Xinzhuo, Jin Zhuo, Yang Xing, Li Bin, Bai Lunhao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle and serum sex hormone concentrations on knee kinematic parameters in female college soccer athletes. The results showed that subjects had a lower maximum knee valgus in the mid-luteal phase, indicating a lower risk of ACL injury. There was no significant correlation between serum sex hormone concentrations and knee kinematic parameters.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Dali Gamsakhurdashvili, Martin I. Antov, Ursula Stockhorst
Summary: This study reviewed original papers on the impact of ovarian-hormone status on facial emotion recognition and emotional memory. Results suggest that features of the stimulus material interact with E2- and P4-related ovarian-hormone status, with oral contraceptive use potentially affecting recognition accuracy of basic and complex emotions.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ayad Mohammed Salem
Summary: Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, producing biologically active mediators known as adipocytokines that play a role in various physiological functions, including reproduction. Factors such as body weight, body fat compositions, and nutrition have a significant impact on fertility, puberty, pregnancy, and menstrual cycles. Leptin, the first discovered adipocytokine, plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis and reproductive function, interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marie Coenjaerts, Isabelle Trimborn, Berina Adrovic, Birgit Stoffel-Wagner, Larry Cahill, Alexandra Philipsen, Rene Hurlemann, Dirk Scheele
Summary: Considerable evidence supports sex differences in episodic memory. This study found that the hormones estradiol and oxytocin can modulate these sex differences, with separate treatments significantly reducing the differences and combined treatment having no effect. The results suggest the importance of these hormones in regulating sex differences in episodic memory, and possible antagonistic interactions between estradiol and oxytocin.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Malihe Eskandari Torbaghan, Ali Moghimi, Hamid Reza Kobravi, Masoud Fereidoni, Imanollah Bigdeli
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol on stress and effect of stress on spatial working memory during the menstrual cycle. The results showed that estradiol levels decreased in the late follicular, luteal, and early follicular phases, while galvanic skin response decreased after stress induction in all three phases. Spatial working memory diminished after stress induction in all three phases, but increased in the late follicular phase. Average power spectrum density in all frequency bands increased after stress induction in the frontal and prefrontal channels. Therefore, stress led to spatial working memory dysfunction, while estradiol improved spatial working memory performance in the late follicular phase.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ewa Florek, Wojciech Piekoszewski, Agata Czarnywojtek, Anna Sedziak, Wojciech Jawien, Anna Dera-Szymanowska, Marta Szukalska, Krzysztof Szymanowski, Marek Chuchracki, Marek Ruchala
Summary: This study explores the effects of tobacco smoke on women's menstrual cycles and hormone levels. It found that smoking can disrupt reproduction, as evidenced by changes in hormone levels and menstrual cycle length.
ENDOKRYNOLOGIA POLSKA
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Ana Carolina Paludo, Armin Paravlic, Kristyna Dvorakova, Marta Gimunova
Summary: This article investigated the effects of menstrual cycle phases on perceptual responses in athletes through systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that different menstrual cycle phases can affect certain perceptual responses in athletes, particularly when there is an increase in ovarian hormone concentration levels.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Henry L. Blanton, Robert C. Barnes, Melissa C. McHann, Joshua A. Bilbrey, Jenny L. Wilkerson, Josee Guindon
Summary: Cannabis use, particularly for pain relief, is increasing among women. Sex differences in response to cannabinoids have been observed in preclinical studies, with female rodents generally being more sensitive to Delta(9)-THC. Factors such as metabolism, cannabinoid receptor expression, and ovarian hormones may contribute to these differences. Further research into the role of sex in endocannabinoid system function is needed as we continue to study the impact of cannabinoids in various disease states, including chronic pain.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Julija Juric, Hongli Peng, Manshu Song, Frano Vuckovic, Jelena Simunovic, Irena Trbojevi-Akmacic, Youxin Wang, Jiaonan Liu, Qing Gao, Hao Wang, Qiaoyun Chu, Marija Pezer, Wei Wang, Gordan Lauc
Summary: The N-glycosylation of IgG exhibits cyclic periodic changes during the menstrual cycle, which are associated with the menstrual cycle phase and sex hormone concentration. While the average effect of the menstrual cycle on IgG N-glycosylation traits is low, there are significant intrapersonal variations. These findings are important for large sample-size studies on IgG N-glycosylation in women.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tingyu Huang, Fiona M. Howse, Nina S. Stachenfeld, Charlotte W. Usselman
Summary: Even in the 21st century, female participants are underrepresented in human physiology research due to the perception that including them is more time consuming, less convenient, and more expensive. However, considering the importance of gonadal hormone fluctuations in governing vascular function and the potential misinterpretation of cardiovascular biomarkers, it is necessary for cardiovascular researchers to include females and accurately track their hormone changes. Saliva-derived measures of gonadal hormones provide a simple and noninvasive method for monitoring, which may facilitate the inclusion of females in cardiovascular research studies.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jason Benjamin Tabor, Linden Chase Penner, Jennifer Gradi Cooper, Mohammad Ghodsi, Jean-Michel Galarneau, Douglas Dale Fraser, Carolyn Ann Emery, Cheryl Lea Wellington, Chantel Teresa Debert
Summary: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-injury plasma levels and brain concussion-related proteins in healthy adolescent sport participants, considering factors such as previous concussion, age, and sex. The study found differences in plasma levels of concussion-related proteins among adolescents of different genders and ages, while history of concussion and menstrual cycle were not associated with the protein levels. These findings support further research on these blood biomarkers in the field of adolescent sport-related concussion.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Alice Teghil, Fabrizia D'Antonio, Antonella Di Vita, Cecilia Guariglia, Maddalena Boccia
Summary: This study investigates the effect of field-dependent/independent cognitive style on temporal learning in the suprasecond range. The findings suggest that individual differences in high-level cognitive functioning significantly affect temporal learning, with field-independent individuals performing better in internally-based learning conditions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH-PSYCHOLOGISCHE FORSCHUNG
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Maddalena Boccia, Alice Teghil, Simona Raimo, Antonella Di Vita, Dario Grossi, Cecilia Guariglia, Liana Palermo
Summary: This study integrates data from normal and pathological functioning to reveal the neural basis of interoceptive sensibility, with a focus on the important distinction between visceral and somatosensory feelings. Results from structural MRI and lesion-symptom mapping show clear differences in the sensibility of visceral and somatosensory feelings.
Article
Neurosciences
Massimiliano Palmiero, Laura Piccardi, Marco Giancola, Raffaella Nori, Paola Guariglia
Summary: This study investigated the effects of mood states on artistic creativity and found that participants in a negative mood group had higher scores in depression and lower scores in vigour compared to the other two groups. However, their artistic drawings were rated as more creative and emotional by independent judges. These findings suggest that negative mood states may enhance artistic creativity.
Article
Neurosciences
Maria Giulia Tullo, Hannes Almgren, Frederik Van de Steen, Maddalena Boccia, Federica Bencivenga, Gaspare Galati
Summary: The study combined fMRI, rs-fc, and effective connectivity to assess brain signals during perception and imagery of landmarks. The results showed that the occipital and temporo-medial brain regions were involved in both perception and imagery of scenes, but the specific interactions between these regions during spatial recollection are still unknown.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Giulia Tullo, Emanuele Cerulli Irelli, Francesca Caramia, Gianmarco Tessari, Carlo Di Bonaventura, Rosaria Turchetta, Anna Teresa Giallonardo, Giovanna Palumbo, Simona Bianchi, Francesca Atturo, Marcella Nebbioso, Patrizia Mancini, Cecilia Guariglia, Fiorina Giona
Summary: Gaucher disease (GD) is a continuum of phenotypes with variable neurological and sensory involvement. This study found abnormalities in the nervous system, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disturbances, and sensory abnormalities in GD patients. The findings support the concept of GD as a spectrum of disease subtypes, highlighting the importance of periodic monitoring of cognitive, motor, mood, sleep, and sensory abnormalities in all GD patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Pierandrea Mirino, Sara Mercuri, Anna Pecchinenda, Maddalena Boccia, Andrea Di Piero, Marta Soldani, Cecilia Guariglia
Summary: This study used a new visuospatial working memory task, the Time Squares Sequences, to investigate the effect of implicit variations in stimuli presentation time on task performance. The results showed impaired performance when S1 had a fixed presentation time and S2 had a variable presentation time. These findings suggest a monitoring process sensitive to temporal variations and increased cognitive load due to S2 timing difference.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Alessia Bonavita, Martina Bellagamba, Paola Verde, Maddalena Boccia, Cecilia Guariglia
Summary: Prism adaptation is a commonly used technique for rehabilitating unilateral spatial neglect, but there is conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness. This study investigated the role of cognitive style in prism adaptation efficacy by testing healthy participants classified as field-dependent or field-independent. The results showed that field-independent individuals required fewer pointing movements to reduce deviation error during the exposure phase. However, there were no differences in sensory-motor and cognitive after-effects extinction. These findings suggest that cognitive style can influence the effectiveness of prism adaptation.
Article
Pediatrics
Marco Giancola, Maria Chiara Pino, Valentina Riccio, Laura Piccardi, Simonetta D'Amico
Summary: This study investigated the joint contribution of perceptual analogical reasoning and spatial language in map reading. The results indicated that perceptual abstract reasoning affected map reading through the mediating effect of spatial language. These findings have important implications for both theory and practice, emphasizing the role of perceptual abstract reasoning and spatial language in shaping map-reading abilities in the early stages of life, and highlighting the necessity of domain-specific language competencies for improving spatial relations, establishing object correspondences, and ensuring successful navigation.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Anna Pecchinenda, Alla Yankouskaya, Maddalena Boccia, Laura Piccardi, Cecilia Guariglia, Anna Maria Giannini
Summary: This study examined the association between subjective cognitive decline in the working memory domain, perceived loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress in older individuals. The results showed that individuals with greater subjective cognitive problems reported higher levels of perceived loneliness and stress but not depression. On the other hand, individuals with the least subjective cognitive problems in the storage domain reported lower levels of perceived loneliness.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology
Matilde Conti, Alice Teghil, Maddalena Boccia
Summary: This study examined the reliability and construct validity of the Autobiographical Fluency Task (AFT) in assessing autobiographical memory. The results showed that the AFT has moderate-to-high reliability and significant correlations with other assessment tools. Therefore, the AFT may be a feasible instrument for evaluating autobiographical memory in clinical settings.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Paola Guariglia, Massimiliano Palmiero, Anna Maria Giannini, Laura Piccardi
Summary: Aging is influenced by genetics, behavior, and empathy, which in turn affects social support. This study investigated how empathy mediates the relationship between age and perceived social support. The results showed that empathy fully mediated the relationship between age and appraisal, belonging, and tangible scores, and only mediated the relationship between age and SSQ6-People.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Piccardi, Jessica Burrai, Massimiliano Palmiero, Alessandro Quaglieri, Giulia Lausi, Pierluigi Cordellieri, Angelo Fraschetti, Anna Maria Giannini, Emanuela Mari
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between gender and online vulnerability, using a sample of 366 adolescents. The results showed that girls were more vulnerable online than boys and that boys used more moral disengagement mechanisms. Furthermore, moral displacement had a positive indirect effect on the relationship between gender and online vulnerability.
Article
Neurosciences
Laura Piccardi, Anna Pecchinenda, Massimiliano Palmiero, Marco Giancola, Maddalena Boccia, Anna Maria Giannini, Cecilia Guariglia
Summary: This study examined the relationship between physical activity and working memory complaints in elderly individuals. The results showed that regular physical activity was negatively associated with complaints in attention and executive functions, but not in memory storage. Age, gender, and emotional distress also played significant roles in the complaints.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
