Mapping changes in women's visual functions during the menstrual cycle: narrative review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: This article systematically updates the literature on changes in visual functions during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle in women. OBJECTIVES: To update Guttridge's 1994 review of visual structures and functions associated with the menstrual cycle and broaden the search through psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral measurements covering 1994-2020. DESIGN AND SETTING: Narrative review conducted in a neurosciences and behavior laboratory in Brazil. METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Answers and Google Scholar databases were searched. After screening and applying the eligibility criteria, 32 articles were examined. Through this analysis, the following information was extracted: (1) geographical distribution of the study; (2) sample size (according to age and phase of the menstrual cycle); (3) type of measurements according to psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral instruments; (4) vision testing model; (5) visual subcategory evaluated; (6) categories of processed visual stimuli; and (7) main findings. RESULTS: The menstrual phases give rise to significant changes in visual functions, including in relation to orientation and spatial attention, visual campimetry and visual sensitivity. These relate specifically to the follicular and luteal phases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings theoretically expand the effects of menstrual cycles on visual functions found by Guttridge (1994). Despite some inconsistencies in the studies analyzed, it was found that visual processing during the follicular and luteal phases of the normal menstrual cycle of healthy women can explain physiological, cognitive, behavioral and social modulations.

Effect of visual working memory contents on visual function and fluid intelligence / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the influence of visual working memory contents on visual func-tion and fluid intelligence.Methods 42 subjects were randomly divided into three groups:controll group in-cluding 17 people who had no training,working memory based on Gabor vision group including 13 people and standard working memory group including 12 people who received the N-back working memory training for 15 days,and lasted half an hour in every day.The contrast sensitivity was recorded and measured using OPTEC6500,and the fluid intelligence was measured with the Raven's advanced progressive matrices before and after training.Results In the Gabor working memory group,there were salient gains in contrast sensitivi-ty(respectively(1.48±0.26)log,(1.87±0.13)log,P＜0.05)and in fluid intelligence(respectively(11.15± 1.28),(13.46±1.76),P＜0.05)between pre-and post-test. In the standard working memory group,the con-trast sensitivity improvement was not significant(respectively(1.72±0.30)log,(1.75±0.31)log,P＞0.05),the fluid intelligence increased significantly(respectively(11.25±1.91),(13.00±1.86),P＜0.05); while the controlling group had no significant difference in contrast sensitivity (respectively(1.61±0.26)log,(1.67± 0.25)log,P＞0.05)and in fluid intelligence(respectively(11.41±1.87),(11.58±1.94),P＞0.05) between pre-and post-test.Conclusion Working memory training based on Gabor vision can enhance the subjective perception of visual stimuli and improve the behavioral effect of visual contrast sensitivity, but the visual working memory contents do not affect the migration effect of working memory training on fluid intelligence.

Efeitos do envelhecimento no contraste visual de grades senoidais / Effects of aging on visual contrast of sinusoidal gratings / Efectos del envejecimiento en el contraste visual de rejillas sinusoidales

O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar as curvas de sensibilidade ao contraste de adultos e idosos. Foi medida a FSC para grades senoidais verticais utilizando o método psicofísico da escolha forçada (2AFC). Participaram desse estudo 18 adultos com idade entre 20 e 29 anos e 18 idosos com idade entre 60 a 69 anos, de ambos os sexos. A ANOVA mostrou efeito principal entre os grupos [F(1, 156) = 173,160; p < 0,001] e de interação entre as frequências espaciais e a idade [F(3,427) = 163,365; p < 0,001]. Já o teste Bonferroni mostrou diferenças significantes em todas as frequências testadas (p < 0,001). Verificou-se que o padrão da curva de SC se mantém com o envelhecimento, com a menor sensibilidade localizada nos extremos da curva e a maior sensibilidade localizada próxima ao centro da curva. Além disso, sugere-se alterações no processo senso perceptivo visual ao longo da vida.

The aim of this study was to compare the behavior of the contrast sensitivity curve and older adults. We measured the CFS for vertical sinusoidal gratings using the psychophysical forced-choice method (2AFC). Participants were 18 volunteers aged 20-29 years old (M = 23.94, SD = 2.57), and 18 elderly aged 60-69 years old (M = 66.05, SD = 3.65) of both sexes. The ANOVA showed main effects between groups [F(1, 156) = 173.160; p < 0.001] and interaction between the frequencies and age [F(3,427) = 163.365; p < 0.001]. But the Bonferroni showed significant differences in all tested frequencies (p < 0.001). It was found that the standard curve CS is maintained with aging, with the lowest sensitivity is located at the extreme bow and greater sensitivity is near the center of the curve. Furthermore, is suggested changes in visual sense perceptual process throughout life.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar las curvas de sensibilidad al contraste (SC) en adultos y ancianos. La FSC se midió por rejillas sinusoidales verticales utilizando el método psicofísico de elección forzada (2AFC). Los participantes fueron 18 adultos de edades comprendidas entre 20 y 29 años y 18 ancianos de 60 a 69 años, de ambos sexos. La ANOVA mostró diferencias significativas en los efectos principales de los grupos [F(1, 156) = 173.160; p < 0.001] y una interacción entre las frecuencias y la edad [F(3,427) = 163.365; p < 0,001]. En el test de Bonferroni fueron encontradas diferencias significativas en todas las frecuencias analizadas (p < 0,001). Se encontró que el estándar de la SC se mantiene con el envejecimiento, teniendo la zona de menor sensibilidad situada en el extremo de la curva y una mayor sensibilidad cerca del centro de la curva. Además, se sugiere cambios en el sentido visual y perceptual a lo largo de la vida.

Effects of chronic alcoholism in the sensitivity to luminance contrast in vertical sinusoidal gratings

The aim of this study was to measure visual contrast sensitivity (CS) of luminance using vertical sinusoidal gratings with spatial frequencies of 0.6, 2.5, 5.0 and 20.0 cycles per degree of visual angle in chronic alcoholics in abstinence period. The participants were 20 volunteers ((26­59 years of age) divided into two groups: the study group (SG) consisted of 10 volunteers with a clinical history of chronic alcoholism abstinence and the control group (CG) consisted of 10 healthy volunteers. Each group had five female and five male participants. All participants had normal or corrected visual acuity and were free of identifiable diseases. The psychophysical method of forced choice between two temporal alternatives (2AFC) was used to measure visual CS of luminance of 41.2 cd/m2. The results showed significant differences between groups for all spatial frequencies tested (p< 0.001). These results suggest alterations in the visual perception related to chronic alcohol consumption even after years of abstinence. (AU)