Menstrual Cycle Modulates Motor Learning and Memory Consolidation in Humans

Numerous studies have noted that sex and/or menstrual phase influences cognitive performance (in particular, declarative memory), but the effects on motor learning (ML) and procedural memory/consolidation remain unclear. In order to test the hypothesis that ML differs across menstrual cycle phases, initial ML, overlearning, consolidation, and final performance were assessed in women in the follicular, preovulation and luteal phases. Primary motor cortex (M1) oscillations were assessed neuro-physiologically, and premenstrual syndrome and interoceptive awareness scores were assessed psychologically. We found not only poorer performance gain through initial ML but also lower final performance after overlearning a day and a week later in the luteal group than in the ovulation group. This behavioral difference could be explained by particular premenstrual syndrome symptoms and associated failure of normal M1 excitability in the luteal group. In contrast, the offline effects, i.e., early and late consolidation, did not differ across menstrual cycle phases. These results provide information regarding the best time in which to start learning new sensorimotor skills to achieve expected gains

Data from: Water immersion decreases sympathetic skin response during color–word Stroop Test

Water immersion alters the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response in humans. The effect of water immersion on executive function and ANS responses related to executive function tasks was unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether water immersion alters ANS response during executive tasks. Fourteen healthy participants performed color–word-matching Stroop tasks before and after non-immersion and water immersion intervention for 15 min in separate sessions. The Stroop task-related skin conductance response (SCR) was measured during every task. In addition, the skin conductance level (SCL) and electrocardiograph signals were measured over the course of the experimental procedure. The main findings of the present study were as follows: 1) water immersion decreased the executive task-related sympathetic nervous response, but did not affect executive function as evaluated by Stroop tasks, and 2) decreased SCL induced by water immersion was maintained for at least 15 min after water immersion. In conclusion, the present results suggest that water immersion decreases the sympathetic skin response during the color–word Stroop test without altering executive performance

all data 20170629

all data 2017062

Changes in SCL, HF component, LF/HF ratio and VAS scale.

<p>Changes in SCL, HF component, LF/HF ratio and VAS scale.</p

Schematic of the experimental protocol.

<p>Schematic of the experimental protocol.</p

The change in visual analog scale at baseline, T1, T2, T3, and post-assessment.

<p>−5 indicated extreme uncomfortable and +5 indicated extreme comfortable. *; significant difference (p <0.05) †; significant difference compared with baseline (p < 0.05).</p

The change in Stroop task- and interference-related skin conductance responses.

<p>A) Neutral event-related SCR, B) Incongruent event-related SCR, C) Stroop interference-related SCR. *; significant difference (p < 0.05).</p

Physiological characteristics of all participants.

<p>Physiological characteristics of all participants.</p

The change in Stroop task- and Stroop interference-related SCR.

<p>The change in Stroop task- and Stroop interference-related SCR.</p

Color–word-matching Stroop task.

<p>Instances of single trials for the neutral, congruent, and incongruent events of the color–word- matching Stroop task are depicted. Stimuli were presented in Japanese. Their English translations are indicated in parentheses. The question asked (in Japanese) was as follows: “Does the color of the upper word match the meaning of the lower word?” For the top three examples, the correct answer was “No,” and for the bottom three examples, the correct answer was “Yes.” Stroop task performance was evaluated and recorded using a multimodality encoder system (Super Lab X5, Cedrus, CA).</p