'Momnesia' is real-scientists find a biological explanation for temporary forgetfulness during pregnancy
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a biological mechanism in the brain that explains temporary memory impairment during pregnancy. The study suggests that high estrogen levels disrupt specific neurons in the hypothalamus, providing a scientific basis for the phenomenon often called 'momnesia'.
Why it matters
This discovery validates a common cognitive experience for pregnant women and could lead to better understanding of how hormonal fluctuations impact brain function.
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Many women say the same thing during pregnancy: They walk into a room and forget why, misplace their keys or struggle to follow a conversation. This phenomenon, often called "pregnancy brain" or "momnesia," has long lacked a clear biological explanation.
Now, a new study by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions, published in Science Bulletin , identifies a specific brain circuit in an animal model that becomes disrupted under the sustained high estrogen levels present during pregnancy. The findings offer the first biological explanation of how exposure to high levels of circulating estrogen can temporarily impair memory.
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