title: Is objective and accurate cognitive assessment across the menstrual cycle possible? A feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Variation in plasma hormone levels influences the neurobiology of brain regions involved in cognition and emotion processing. Fluctuations in hormone levels across the menstrual cycle could therefore alter cognitive performance and wellbeing; reports have provided conflicting results, however. The aim of this study was to assess whether objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-reported wellbeing during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle is feasible and investigate the possible reasons for variation in effects previously reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to assess the cognitive performance and wellbeing of 12 women. Data were analysed by self-reported and hormone-estimated phases of the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recruitment to the study and assessment of cognition and wellbeing was without issue. Plasma hormone and peptide estimation showed substantial individual variation and suggests inaccuracy in self-reported menstrual phase estimation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Objective assessment of cognitive performance and self-assessed wellbeing across the menstrual cycle is feasible. Grouping data by hormonal profile rather by self-reported phase estimation may influence phase-mediated results. Future studies should use plasma hormone and peptide profiles to estimate cycle phase and group data for analyses.
authors.affiliation: Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farrar
authors.affiliation: Manchester Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neill
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Professions and Sport, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scally
authors.affiliation: Bradford Women's and Newborn Unit, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tuffnell
authors.affiliation: Manchester Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marshall
keywords: Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery; cognitive performance; hormone and peptide profile; menstrual cycle