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  • Yulu Song
    The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • James J Prisciandaro
    Medical University of South Carolina
  • Dace Apšvalka
    University of Cambridge
  • Mae Bernard
    School of Psychology and Sports Sciences
  • Adam Berrington
    University of Nottingham
  • Miguel Castelo-Branco
    University of Coimbra
  • Mark K Britton
    University of Florida
  • Marta M Correia
    University of Cambridge
  • Koen Cuypers
    Hasselt University
  • Aleksandra Domagalik
    Jagiellonian University
  • Ulrike Dydak
    Purdue University
  • Niall W Duncan
    Taipei Medical University
  • Gerard E Dwyer
    University of Bergen
  • Tao Gong
    Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University
  • Ian Greenhouse
    University of Oregon, Eugene
  • Katarzyna Hat
    Jagiellonian University
  • Melina Hehl
    Hasselt University
  • Shiori Honda
    Keio University
  • Chris Horton
    University of Oregon, Eugene
  • Steve Hui
    Cascadia Research, Washington
  • Stephen Jackson
    University of Nottingham
  • Daniella L Jones
    University of Surrey
  • Maren S Klan
    Taipei Medical University
  • In Kyoon Lyoo
    Ewha Womans University
  • Marius O Mada
    University of Cambridge
  • Bronte V McNamara
    Taipei Medical University
  • Paul Mullins
    School of Psychology and Sports Sciences
  • Emlyn Muska
    University of Florida
  • Shinichiro Nakajima
    University of Toronto
  • Hayami Nishio
    University of Oregon, Eugene
  • Andreia C Pereira
    University of Coimbra
  • Eric Porges
    University of Florida
  • Michelle Rowsell
    Bangor University
  • Rubi Ruopp
    University of Oregon, Eugene
  • Destin Shortell
    University of Florida
  • Caitlin M Smith
    University of Nottingham
  • Stephan Swinnen
    Leuven Brain Institute (LBI)
  • Antonia Šušnjar
    Purdue University
  • Lin-Yuan Tseng
    Taipei Medical University
  • Ines R Violante
    King's College London
  • Sujung Yoon
    Ewha Womans University
  • Richard A E Edden
    The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Katherine Dyke
    University of Nottingham

BACKGROUND: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutathione (GSH) play a significant role in the functioning of a healthy brain and can both be quantified using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Several small-scale studies have suggested MRS measured GABA may fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, but the effects on GSH are unknown. Utilising recent developments in MRS acquisition, this multi-lab study explores this issue across 4 distinctive brain regions.

NEW METHODS: Data were analysed from 12 independent sites from which a total of 30 women were scanned during three phases of their menstrual cycle corresponding to early follicular, ovulation and mid luteal phases. HERMES and HERCULES sequences were used to measure GABA and GSH in voxels located in the left motor cortex, left posterior insular, medial parietal and medial frontal. Linear mixed models were used to assess the variability contributed by site, participant and menstrual cycle phase.

RESULTS: Similar variance was attributed to site and menstrual cycle phase for both GABA and GSH data. No systematic changes in GABA or GSH were revealed for any voxel as a consequence of menstrual cycle phase.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Despite our larger sample size and inclusion of more brain regions we fail to replicate previous findings of GABA change as a consequence of menstrual cycle phase. We also show for the first time that MRS measures of GSH so not significantly alter with cycle.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the menstrual cycle has minimal impact on MRS measures of GABA and GSH. The presence of a menstrual cycle should not be used as justification for exclusion of women in MRS studies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110430
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods
Early online date19 Mar 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 19 Mar 2025
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