'Momnesia' pregnancy forgetfulness linked to brain circuit disruption, study finds
Researchers have identified a specific brain circuit involving the hypothalamus and hippocampus that explains 'momnesia,' or pregnancy-related forgetfulness. The study suggests that sustained high levels of oestrogen during pregnancy temporarily disrupt memory formation in mice.
Why it matters
Understanding the biological basis of pregnancy-related cognitive changes helps validate the experiences of many women and reduces the stigma surrounding these temporary symptoms.
It is sometimes called "momnesia," "mommy brain," "pregnancy brain" or "baby brain" — the forgetfulness, mental fogginess and cognitive changes that many women may experience during pregnancy. For instance, a woman might walk into the kitchen and forget why she did, or perhaps misplace her car keys in the bathroom.
Scientists know it is a real biological phenomenon, and now have found a possible explanation, identifying a specific brain circuit that becomes disrupted under the sustained high levels of oestrogen that accompany pregnancy.
They conducted experiments using laboratory mice designed to mimic the sustained elevated oestrogen experienced during pregnancy, finding that this led to temporary memory impairment in the animals without mood changes.
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