title: Changes in visual evoked potentials during the menstrual cycle in young women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since, during the menstrual cycle, changes in neuronal activity and in auditory, olfactory, and taste thresholds were found, visual evoked potentials were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 50 healthy women the latency and the amplitude of P100 wave of pattern reversal visual evoked potentials were measured during the different menstrual phases (follicular, periovular, and luteal), as determined by sonography and serum progesterone level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the follicular phase, during the luteal phase significant reduction in latency (101.29+/-4.42 vs. 104.76+/-5.02 ms, P<0.01) and increase in amplitude (10.44+/-3.15 vs. 8.62+/-3.09 microV, P<0.05) were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluctuations in ovarian steroid hormones affect the excitability of the visual system.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Clinica.Oculistica@mbox.unict.it
authors.forename: Teresio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Avitabile
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scollo
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulvirenti
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toto
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torrisi
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone