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Related Concept Videos

The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
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Secretory Phase01:19

Secretory Phase

The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Sensory Modalities01:15

Sensory Modalities

Sensation typically is the process by which the sensory receptors and sense organs detect stimuli from the internal and external environment and transmit this information to the central nervous system for processing.
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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Multisensory integration across the menstrual cycle.

Sebastian Ocklenburg1, Claudia C Wolf, Tobias Heed

  • 1Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany.

Frontiers in Psychology
|September 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Steroid hormones, particularly estradiol, influence spatial processing in women. This study found that estradiol levels correlate with changes in crossmodal spatial processing, especially when hands are crossed.

Keywords:
crossmodal congruency taskmenstrual cyclespatial processingsteroid hormonesvisuotactile integration

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Spatial processing in women varies with the menstrual cycle, likely due to fluctuating steroid hormones.
  • The influence of steroid hormones on crossmodal spatial processing remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if crossmodal spatial processing is modulated by women's hormonal cycle phase.
  • To examine the role of estradiol in visuo-tactile interactions and posture processing.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a crossmodal congruency task to assess visuo-tactile interactions.
  • Compared naturally cycling women, women on hormonal contraceptives, and men.
  • Analyzed the effect of crossed versus uncrossed hand postures on multisensory integration across different cycle phases.

Main Results:

  • Visuo-tactile interactions differed significantly between menstrual and luteal phases in naturally cycling women with crossed hands.
  • No significant effects were observed in women using hormonal contraceptives or in men.
  • Estradiol levels positively correlated with the magnitude of crossmodal congruency effects (CCE).

Conclusions:

  • Women's cycle phase and estradiol levels modulate crossmodal spatial processing.
  • Estradiol exerts a neuromodulatory effect on how the brain processes posture and sensory information.
  • Findings highlight the dynamic interplay between hormones and cognitive functions like spatial awareness.