Hormonal contraceptives, menstrual cycle and brain response to faces

• DOI: 10.1093/scan/nss128
• Publication Date: 2012-11-22T22:52:23Z
• Authors: Klara Marečková; Jennifer S. Perrin; Irum Nawaz Khan; Claire Lawrence; Erin Dickie; Doug A. McQuiggan; Tomáš Paus
• Keywords: Menstruation; Fusiform face area

Both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence support a female advantage in the perception of human faces. Here we explored possibility that this relationship may be partially mediated by sex hormones investigating between brain's response to faces use oral contraceptives, as well phase menstrual cycle. First, functional magnetic resonance images were acquired 20 young women [10 freely cycling 10 taking contraception (OC)] during two phases their cycle: mid-cycle menstruation. We found stronger neural responses right fusiform face area (FFA) contraceptives (vs women) menstruation) both groups. Mean blood oxygenation level-dependent left FFA increased function duration OC use. Next, was replicated an independent sample 110 adolescent girls. Finally parallel study carried out another women, no differences pattern eye movements while viewing vs those contraceptives. The imaging findings might indicate enhanced processing social cues mid-cycle.