New study in Bradford finds hormones are to blame for losing things (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

New study in Bradford finds hormones are to blame for losing things

7:30am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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Pregnant women would be wise not to lose sight of their handbag, research carried out in Bradford suggests.

Among the many effects pregnancy can have, one of them appears to be increasing the risk of losing things.

Scientists found women in the later stages of pregnancy tend to suffer a loss of spatial memory – the memory of locations and positions of objects.

The problem was apparent in the last six months of pregnancy and lasted at least three months after giving birth.

Experts believe it can be traced to the effect of pregnancy hormones on the brain.

Study leader Diane Farrar said: “Forgetful-ness and slips of attention are a 0phenomena commonly reported by pregnant women, but scientists have yet to identify a specific mechanism by which this might occur.

“Altered hormone levels may affect brain regions involved in memory processing.”

The researchers comp-ared 23 expectant mothers and 24 non-pregnant women. Mood, anxiety and attention levels were measured, as well as hormone levels.

Overall pregnant women performed significantly less well than non-pregnant women.

Substantially raised levels of the hormones oestradiol, progesterone, cortisol, prolactin and “sex hormone binding globulin” were recorded in the pregnant women.

The mood tests revealed pregnancy led to an increased risk of anxiety and depression, but this trend faded away after birth.

“Mood and level of anxiety improved following pregnancy, suggesting hormonal influences may be responsible,” said Mrs Farrar.

“More research is needed to identify the neurological effects of pregnancy to help guide future research and provide information for women and those in maternity care.”

The findings were presented today at the Society of Endocrinology BES meeting taking place in Manchester.

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