biostudies-literatureUnknownWright MEWellcome TrustThe ovarian hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, have vaso- and neuroprotective effects, potentially due to cerebrovascular interactions. This study investigates their neuroendocrine influence on cerebral and retinal baseline vascular metrics across a healthy menstrual cycle. Twenty-six menstruating females completed imaging sessions and assessment of circulating hormone levels during their early follicular, late follicular and mid-luteal phase. Perfusion, arterial arrival time (AAT), global oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), cerebrovascular metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO₂), carotid artery radius and carotid pulsatility index (PI) were measured using 3 T MRI. Retinal vessel density and blood flow resistance were assessed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). AssJournal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism271678X261421106https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12913051biostudies-literatureEndocrine modulation of cortical and retinal baseline perfusion across the menstrual cycle.PMC12913051WT224267220575/Z/20/ZDriver IDGermuska MWright MEChandler HBernabeu MOTerry LMurphy KGiarratano YRashid DCrofts CSteventon JJDavies SfalseEndocrine modulation of cortical and retinal baseline perfusion across the menstrual cycle.The ovarian hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, have vaso- and neuroprotective effects, potentially due to cerebrovascular interactions. This study investigates their neuroendocrine influence on cerebral and retinal baseline vascular metrics across a healthy menstrual cycle. Twenty-six menstruating females completed imaging sessions and assessment of circulating hormone levels during their early follicular, late follicular and mid-luteal phase. Perfusion, arterial arrival time (AAT), global oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), cerebrovascular metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO₂), carotid artery radius and carotid pulsatility index (PI) were measured using 3 T MRI. Retinal vessel density and blood flow resistance were assessed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Ass2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-16T06:56:07.452Z2026-07-09T13:10:39.307ZS-EPMC129130514169681110.1177/0271678X261421106