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Similar cold stress induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses
Rima Solianik1, Albertas Skurvydas1, Daiva Urboniene2
1Institute of Sports Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto str Kaunas, Lithuania.
Background:
Men have higher cold-induced neuroendocrine response than women; nevertheless, it is not known whether a different stress hormone rise elicits different effects on cognition during whole body cooling.
Objective:
The objective was to compare the effect of cold-induced neuroendocrine responses on the performance of working memory sensitive tasks between men and women.
Materials And Methods:
The cold stress continued until rectal temperature reached 35.5 degree C or for a maximum of 170 min. Working memory performance and stress hormone concentrations were monitored.
Results:
During cold stress, body temperature variables dropped in all subjects (P < 0.001) and did not differ between sexes. Cold stress raised plasma epinephrine and serum cortisol levels only in men (P < 0.05). Cold stress adversely affected memory performance in men but not in women (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The present study indicated that similar moderate cold stress in men and women induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses.
