title: Similar cold stress induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Men have higher cold-induced neuroendocrine response than women; nevertheless, it is not known whether a different stress hormone rise elicits different effects on cognition during whole body cooling.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to compare the effect of cold-induced neuroendocrine responses on the performance of working memory sensitive tasks between men and women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cold stress continued until rectal temperature reached 35.5 degree C or for a maximum of 170 min. Working memory performance and stress hormone concentrations were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During cold stress, body temperature variables dropped in all subjects (P < 0.001) and did not differ between sexes. Cold stress raised plasma epinephrine and serum cortisol levels only in men (P < 0.05). Cold stress adversely affected memory performance in men but not in women (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicated that similar moderate cold stress in men and women induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto str Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solianik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto str Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Albertas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skurvydas
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Daiva
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Urboniene
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto str Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Nerijus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eimantas
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaicio str. Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daniuseviciute
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto str Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brazaitis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone; D004837:Epinephrine