Researchers: Women's Brains Switch Gears Before Period Begins

[matcom]

:popcorn:

<snip>

Even if a woman doesn't seem moody in the days before her period begins, chances are her brain is working differently, according to a new study.

Researchers from Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York found that women with no apparent premenstrual syndrome mood changes may use parts of their brains differently over the course of their menstrual cycles.

The findings are published in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In the brain imaging experiment, 12 women were shown printed words with either negative, neutral, or positive connotations. They performed behavioral tasks while the researchers recorded blood oxygen patterns in their brains, which corresponds to increased brain region usage.

The women were tested one to five days before their periods began and eight to 12 days after their periods began.

The researchers found that in the premenstrual time period, the women's frontal brain regions -- which help control emotions -- showed greater activity. The opposite was found in the days after the women's periods.

But the changes weren't reflected in the women's outward emotional states. The researchers speculate that the greater frontal brain usage might allow the women to compensate for hormonal changes and maintain a consistent emotional state.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/5181697/detail.html

[SoCalDem]

1. Probably a mechanism in place that aided in choosing a suitable mate

:)or in getting rid of one before the "critical" time arrived :)Nature has a reason for everything :) and most of them have to do with the only real reason any of us are here ....

[Loonman]

2. Noooooooo way!

;)

[johnnie]

3. Oh yeah

:popcorn:

[Fleshdancer]

4. FOR THE RECORD:

"The researchers speculate that the greater frontal brain usage might allow the women to compensate for hormonal changes and maintain a consistent emotional state."

-------------------

I personally think I maintain a consistent emotional state before, during and after my period. However, if I could experience greater frontal brain usage to control my emotional state when some asshole cuts me off on the highway, then life would be good.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Agreed!

:toast:

[RedCloud]

5. test should be two weeks after!

find out if any difference exists between ovulation and menstruation and check for an unexpected sweet scent at ovulation.

[DS1]

6. I always thought it was a TurboBoost button like K.I.T.T. had

only the leaping over the walls bit was replaced with cracking skulls :D

[radwriter0555]

7. Don't FUCK with me when I'm PMSing

dammit.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[KittyWampus]

8. That's The SADDEST Thing I've Ever Read, Think I'm Going To Cry...

Oh Wait! I must be pms'ing... :)

[flamingyouth]

10. Mine switches to KILL

I try to be judicious, however. :D