Influence of menstrual cycle phases on processing and memory
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the influence of the phases of the menstrual cycle on the attention and memory processing of university students aged between 20 and 26 years. Methods: This is a study carried out with 76 university students with a regular menstrual cycle. The participants were distributed into four groups relating to the four phases of the menstrual cycle and were subjected to Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning, Rey's Complex Figures and Attention tests. Results: The results demonstrated important differences between the groups. The menstrual phase group performed significantly better than the ovulatory phase group in the Rey Complex Figures test. This demonstrates that it was probably the hormonal changes arising from the different phases of the cycle that characterized the differences. Conclusion: These results allow us to infer that the decrease in plasma estrogen levels has a beneficial role in significantly and selectively improving visual memory storage processes. Thus, this article may help to understand the role of sex steroids in neuropsychological functioning, particularly the relationship between estrogen and memory mechanisms.
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