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Keywords:
CNS, Neuroradiology brain, MR, Computer Applications-General, Experimental investigations, Biological effects, Drugs / Reactions
Authors:
T. De Bondt1, W. Van Hecke2, Y. Jacquemyn1, P. M. Parizel1; 1Antwerp/BE, 2Leuven/BE
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2015/C-0464
Aims and objectives
In modern neuroscience,
voxel-based-morphometry (VBM) is a widely used tool.
VBM involves the creation of spatially normalized images in which the intensity of each voxel relates to the local volume of a brain tissue,
most commonly gray matter.
The technique has been extensively applied in different areas of neurological research.
As an example,
VBM research has recently been applied to topics such as: schizophrenia [1], bipolar disorder [2],
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [3],
Parkinson’s Disease [4],
Huntington’s Disease [5],
and Alzheimer’s Disease [6].
Although hormones are known to be potent neuromodulators [7-10], its potential influence is all too frequently ignored in neuroscience. These neuroplastic events are of great relevance for everyday experiences like behavior,
emotions and cognition (Fig.
1).
Since the introduction of hormonal contraceptives in the early 60s,
almost no research has been done to assess possible effects of these synthetic hormones on the central nerve system.
Recently,
investigators suggested that even type of progestin component in the HC might have an influence on brain structure [11].
The progestin components can be subdivided based on their molecular structure,
which influences their receptor-binding properties.
More specifically,
the androgenicity of the progestins,
the ability to stimulate the development of male characteristics,
is significantly different when comparing older,
second and third generation,
to the more recent anti-androgenic fourth generation HC.
Newer progestins have no androgenic activity and bind purely to progesterone receptors [12].
The type of progestin can also influence the metabolism of the synthetic estrogen component [13].
The pill-free interval in the HC groups can be considered identical to the early follicular phase of the next cycle if no contraceptive pill would be started.
Not restarting the pill after the interval would generally and immediately result in a normal ovulatory cycle in over 75% of women [14].
Hence,
when comparing the NC follicular phase and the HC inactive pill phases,
we should be able to look at long-term (i.e.
not normalized after the washout of synthetic hormones) cerebral effects of hormonal contraceptive use.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the both the short and long-term influence of HC use on regional gray matter volumes,
using voxel-based morphometry.
The HC group was split up,
based on the synthetic progestin component.