Measuring brain perfusion is biased by a inter- and intrasubject variability, caused by physiological and lifestyle factors. In this study, the investigators want to investigate the variations in cerebral perfusion and other brain parameters (grey matter, resting-state brain activity, brain connectivity and white matter diffusion) caused by the female sex hormones and hormonal contraception.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
62
Several MRI scan modalities: MPRAGE (structural scan), arterial spin labeling (cerebral perfusion), resting state functional-MRI (fMRI, cerebral activity) and diffusion MRI (white matter diffusion and white matter tracts).
During MRI: heart rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide (CO2), respiratory rate and skin conductance
Blood sample after MRI-session: measurement of hematocrit, hemoglobin, estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulation hormone and luteinizing hormone.
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, Belgium
RECRUITINGRegional cerebral perfusion (ml/100g/min): natural versus contraception
Differences in regional perfusion between volunteers of the natural cycle group versus the volunteers using contraception
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Regional cerebral perfusion (ml/100g/min) variations during natural menstrual cycle
Variations in cerebral perfusion during the menstrual cycle: follicular phase versus ovulation versus luteal phase in the natural cycle group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Regional cerebral perfusion (ml/100g/min) variations during menstrual cycle using contraception
Variations in cerebral perfusion during the menstrual cycle: pill-week versus pill-free week in the contraception group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Regional grey matter volume (mm³): natural versus contraception
Differences in regional grey matter volume between volunteers of the natural cycle group versus the volunteers using contraception
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Regional grey matter volume (mm³) variations during natural menstrual cycle
Variations during the menstrual cycle: follicular phase versus ovulation versus luteal phase in the natural cycle group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Regional grey matter volume (mm³) variations during menstrual cycle using contraception
Variations in grey matter volume during the menstrual cycle: pill-week versus pill-free week in the contraception group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
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Measuring blood pressure before and after MRI-scan
Measuring body temperature before and after MRI-scan
Questionnaires at the start of the study on lifestyle. Additionally, a questionnaire before each scan session on the actual state of the volunteer (e.g. mood, caffeine consumption, alcohol, medication, etc.)
Test for pregnancy using a pregnancy dipstick test
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Resting state brain activity: natural versus contraception
Differences in resting state brain activity between volunteers of the natural cycle group versus the volunteers using contraception
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Resting state brain activity variations during natural menstrual cycle
Variations in resting state brain activity during the menstrual cycle: follicular phase versus ovulation versus luteal phase in the natural cycle group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Resting state brain activity variations during menstrual cycle using contraception
Variations in resting state brain activity during the menstrual cycle: pill-week versus pill-free week in the contraception group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Cerebral diffusion properties: natural versus contraception
Differences in diffusion properties (Mean Diffusivity(MD)/Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC)/fractional Anisotropy(FA)) between volunteers of the natural cycle group versus the volunteers using contraception
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Cerebral diffusion properties variations during natural menstrual cycle
Variations in diffusion properties (MD/ADC/FA) during the menstrual cycle: follicular phase versus ovulation versus luteal phase in the natural cycle group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session
Cerebral diffusion properties variations during menstrual cycle using contraception
Variations in diffusion properties (MD/ADC/FA) during the menstrual cycle: pill-week versus pill-free week in the contraception group, correlated with female hormones measured in blood sample
Time frame: measured during scan-session