Psychological and physiological changes in severe premenstrual syndrome.

This study investigated differences in nervous system activity and in psychological and behavioural variables between the "baseline" follicular and the premenstrual phases. Twenty women with severe premenstrual syndrome were compared with 20 non-sufferers (10 from each group in each cycle phase). The Patient groups had higher autonomic activity than controls in both phases. In the follicular phase, patients did not differ on other important variables, though most measures were somewhat higher. Premenstrually, patients were higher on several negative moods and lower on cortical arousal. The patients' premenstrual distress appears to arise mainly from chronically high autonomic activity and a decline in cortical arousal, presumably interacting with other neurophysiological fluctuations of the cycle, rather than from any psychological characteristics. The direction of any causal relationship between autonomic and central activity and premenstrual symptoms is unknown.

The relationship between menstrual cycle changes in nervous system activity and psychological, behavioural and physical variables.

The present study (N = 30) investigated the relationship between menstrual cycle changes in nervous system activity and in psychological, behavioural and physical variables. Two-flash fusion, electrodermal activity and questionnaire measures were used. Each participant was tested in the premenstrual phase (PM) and in the middle third of the cycle (MC). PM cortical alertness was low, and these low levels were related to high levels of negative psychological change. PM autonomic (electrodermal) reactivity, though high, was not directly related to other variables; electrodermal resting level was negatively related to some physical and behavioural variables. PM self-reported perception of autonomic activity was significantly related to negative mood. MC cortical alertness was high. Self-reported levels of cortical and of autonomic activity were related negatively and positively respectively to negative states. It is suggested that certain aspects of nervous system activity, in combination with individual perceptions of reactivity, are significant intermediary mechanisms in some of the reported manifestations of the cycle.

Psychology degree examinations and the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle.

Questions are frequently raised about possible impairment of cognitive function in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. There is also concern that women may be at a disadvantage premenstrually on important occasions such as examinations. This study compared the marks on final-year psychology degree examinations in the premenstrual phase with those of the rest of the cycle. All of the 26 women students who were eligible to participate did so. Comparisons, within and between individuals, of Premenstrual and Nonpremenstrual marks, gave no indication of significant fluctuations with the cycle. Pre-examination arousal and anxiety, which were similar to the relevant published norms, did not appear to be related to the examination marks. There were no significant differences between students taking or not taking oral contraceptives. If there are any physiological and/or social-psychological effects of the cycle on high-level cognitive functioning these are presumably compensated for by the students in this situation. These findings suggest that women taking final degree examinations are not at a disadvantage during the premenstrual phase of the cycle.

Changes with the menstrual cycle in psychophysiological and self-report measures of activation.

This study investigated changes in levels of central autonomic nervous system activity, using objective and self-report measures at two hormonally contrasting phases of the menstrual cycle. The subjects were 36 women who were divided into two groups, one tested in the premenstrual phase and one in the intermenstrual phase. The findings, which would need further confirmation, suggest that the levels of activation in both the central nervous system and in the autonomic nervous system are different in the two phases. Also, the two systems appear to vary independently of each other within the cycle. Cortical levels of activation are higher intermenstrually than premenstrually; autonomic levels are higher premenstrually than intermenstrually. The objective and self-report measures were in agreement both as regards the premenstrual/intermenstrual differences in activation levels, and as regards the central/autonomic differentiation. Further clarification of nervous system activity at the different hormonal phases of the cycle may contribute to an understanding of the relationships between endocrine, physical, psychological and behavioural variables through the menstrual cycle.

Eye-movements of six-year-old children in two memorization tasks.

Eye movements, during the viewing phase of two memorization tasks, of 12 boys and 12 girls in a transitional period of memory development are described. The findings suggest that the development of ocular strategies parallels closely the emergence of other strategic behaviors and that information on eye movements would provide a necessary complement to the data on emerging ability to plan.

Levels of arousal in the premenstrual phase.

The inconsistent findings of studies of physical and psychological changes throughout the menstrual cycle are reviewed in terms of three different forms of arousal-behavioural , autonomic, cortical. The review indicates that the premenstrual phase is characterized by increased levels of behavioural and of autonomic arousal. The nature of premenstrual changes in cortical arousal is unclear. It is suggested that differentiation and measurement of the various aspects of arousal throughout the cycle may lead to better understanding of the processes underlying the reported changes and of the practical implications of such information.