Estradiol levels modulate brain activity and negative responses to psychosocial stress across the menstrual cycle.

ABSTRACT: Although ovarian hormones are thought to have a potential role in the well-known sex difference in mood and anxiety disorders, the mechanisms through which ovarian hormone changes contribute to stress regulation are not well understood. One mechanism by which ovarian hormones might impact mood regulation is by mediating the effect of psychosocial stress, which often precedes depressive episodes and may have mood consequences that are particularly relevant in women. In the current study, brain activity and mood response to psychosocial stress was examined in healthy, normally cycling women at either the high or low estradiol phase of the menstrual cycle. Twenty eight women were exposed to the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST), with brain activity determined through functional magnetic res

SUBMITTER: Albert K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4492530 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature