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Striatal dopamine synthesis and cognitive flexibility differ between hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers.
Caitlin M Taylor1, Daniella J Furman2, Anne S Berry3
1Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|May 9, 2023
Summary
Hormonal contraceptive users show increased dopamine synthesis and cognitive flexibility compared to nonusers. This highlights how hormonal contraception impacts brain function, particularly dopamine pathways in women.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Sex hormones significantly influence dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in animal models, but this regulation is less understood in the human brain.
- Hormonal contraception is widely used by women globally, yet its effects on the fundamental properties of the DA system remain under-investigated.
- Existing research often overlooks the specific impact of hormonal status on DA system function in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of hormonal contraceptive use on dopamine system function in the human brain.
- To compare dopamine synthesis, receptor binding, and release between hormonal contraceptive users, nonusers, and men.
- To explore the relationship between dopamine synthesis capacity and cognitive flexibility in women.
Main Methods:
- Utilized positron emission tomography (PET) with radioligands [18F]FMT and [11C]raclopride to assess DA synthesis, D2/3 receptor binding, and DA release.
- Recruited 36 healthy women (15 hormonal contraceptive users, 21 naturally cycling/nonusers) and 20 men.
- Administered methylphenidate challenge during PET scans to measure DA release and assessed cognitive flexibility behaviorally.
Main Results:
- Hormonal contraceptive users demonstrated significantly greater DA synthesis capacity, particularly in the dorsal caudate, compared to naturally cycling/nonusers.
- Cognitive flexibility was higher in hormonal contraceptive users than in nonusers, and striatal DA synthesis capacity correlated with cognitive flexibility.
- No significant group differences were found in D2/3 receptor binding potential or methylphenidate-induced DA release.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal contraception use is associated with altered dopamine synthesis capacity in the human brain, impacting cognitive flexibility.
- Findings suggest that hormonal status, specifically contraceptive use, plays a crucial role in modulating DA system function in women.
- This study addresses a critical gap in women's health by elucidating the neurobiological effects of hormonal contraception on the dopamine system.
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