Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Changes in saccadic latencies over the human menstrual cycle.

Emma J Brooker1, Richard J Barnes, Emily K Walton

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, UK. eb219@cam.ac.uk

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|August 22, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Saccadic latencies, a measure of sensorimotor processing, varied during the menstrual cycle in naturally cycling women. Premenstrual increases in latency may explain coordination issues, an effect potentially mitigated by oral contraceptives.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mitochondrial Phenotypes in Genetically Diverse Neurodegenerative Diseases and Their Response to Mitofusin Activation.

Cells·2022
Same author

Safety evaluation of a strategy to restart elective orthopaedic surgery during the de-escalation phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bone & joint open·2020
Same author

Burst mitofusin activation reverses neuromuscular dysfunction in murine CMT2A.

eLife·2020
Same author

Use of uterine balloon tamponade for control of postpartum hemorrhage by community-based health providers in South Sudan.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2013
Same author

Nairobi fly (Paederus) dermatitis in South Sudan: a case report.

Wilderness & environmental medicine·2012
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Sensorimotor processing is crucial for motor control.
  • Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle may impact cognitive and motor functions.
  • Previous research suggests premenstrual symptoms can include coordination difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate menstrual cycle-related changes in sensorimotor processing.
  • To compare saccadic latencies in naturally cycling women, women on oral contraceptives, and male controls.
  • To explore the potential link between menstrual cycle phase and motor coordination.

Main Methods:

  • Saccadic latencies were measured using an infrared scleral oculometer.
  • Participants included naturally cycling women, women using oral contraceptives, and male controls.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Latency measurements were taken during menstruation, early luteal, and premenstrual phases.

    • Main Results:

    • Naturally cycling women showed significant changes in saccadic latencies across the menstrual cycle.
    • Premenstrual saccadic latencies were significantly longer than during menstruation or midcycle.
    • No significant changes in saccadic latencies were observed in women taking oral contraceptives or in male controls.

    Conclusions:

    • Menstrual cycle phase influences sensorimotor processing, specifically saccadic eye movements.
    • Increased premenstrual saccadic latency may underlie reported premenstrual coordination deficits.
    • Oral contraceptive use may stabilize sensorimotor processing, potentially alleviating premenstrual coordination issues.