Elinor Brown1, Jonathan Schaffir2. 1. Instructor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Instructor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. 2. Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Abstract
IMPORTANCE: The idea that pregnant women suffer from deficits in memory is widespread but poorly documented in obstetrical literature. OBJECTIVE: To review available psychology literature on the subject of cognitive changes in pregnancy in order to guide the prenatal care provider on how to counsel pregnant women. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: An extensive review of PubMed and PsycINFO databases was conducted to gather and analyze relevant studies on cognitive changes in pregnancy. RESULTS: A large body of literature examining basic science and animal studies support the effects of pregnancy hormones in remodeling brain architecture and neural function. However, studies in humans are hampered by small sizes, heterogeneous methodology, and varying definitions of memory. Nevertheless, the consensus among researchers is that pregnancy does confer deficits in working memory relative to nonpregnant controls. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cognitive effects of pregnancy are likely small, and the impact on daily life is debatable. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects may confer an advantage to parous women comparable to that seen in lower mammals.
IMPORTANCE: The idea that pregnant women suffer from deficits in memory is widespread but poorly documented in obstetrical literature. OBJECTIVE: To review available psychology literature on the subject of cognitive changes in pregnancy in order to guide the prenatal care provider on how to counsel pregnant women. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: An extensive review of PubMed and PsycINFO databases was conducted to gather and analyze relevant studies on cognitive changes in pregnancy. RESULTS: A large body of literature examining basic science and animal studies support the effects of pregnancy hormones in remodeling brain architecture and neural function. However, studies in humans are hampered by small sizes, heterogeneous methodology, and varying definitions of memory. Nevertheless, the consensus among researchers is that pregnancy does confer deficits in working memory relative to nonpregnant controls. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cognitive effects of pregnancy are likely small, and the impact on daily life is debatable. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects may confer an advantage to parous women comparable to that seen in lower mammals.
Authors: Sarah Kittel-Schneider; Petra Davidova; Miriam Kalok; Corina Essel; Fadia Ben Ahmed; Yasmina Kingeter; Maria Matentzoglu; Anna Linda Leutritz; Katharina Kersken; Carolin Koreny; Heike Weber; Leonie Kollert; Rhiannon V McNeill; Andreas Reif; Franz Bahlmann; Patricia Trautmann-Villalba Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2022-01-06 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Yasmin A Harrington; Jeanine M Parisi; Daisy Duan; Darlynn M Rojo-Wissar; Calliope Holingue; Adam P Spira Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 5.702