Numerous studies have noted that sex and/or menstrual phase influences cognitive performance (in particular, declarative memory), but the effects on motor learning (ML) and procedural memory/consolidation remain unclear. In order to test the hypothesis that ML differs across menstrual cycle phases, initial ML, overlearning, consolidation, and final performance were assessed in women in the follicular, preovulation and luteal phases. Primary motor cortex (M1) oscillations were assessed neuro-physiologically, and premenstrual syndrome and interoceptive awareness scores were assessed psychologically. We found not only poorer performance gain through initial ML but also lower final performance after overlearning a day and a week later in the luteal group than in the ovulation group. This behavioral difference could be explained by particular premenstrual syndrome symptoms and associated failure of normal M1 excitability in the luteal group. In contrast, the offline effects, i.e., early and late consolidation, did not differ across menstrual cycle phases. These results provide information regarding the best time in which to start learning new sensorimotor skills to achieve expected gains.

中文翻译：

---

月经周期调节人类的运动学习和记忆巩固

大量研究表明，性别和/或月经期会影响认知表现（特别是声明性记忆），但对运动学习（ML）和程序性记忆/巩固的影响尚不清楚。为了检验在月经周期各阶段ML有所不同的假设，我们评估了处于卵泡期，排卵前和黄体期的女性的初始ML，过度学习，巩固和最终表现。通过神经生理学评估原发性运动皮层（M1）的振动，并从心理上评估经前期综合症和知觉意识得分。我们发现黄体组不仅通过初次ML获得较差的性能，而且在学习超过一天和一周后比排卵组降低了最终性能。这种行为差异可以通过黄体组特定的经前期综合症症状和相关的正常M1兴奋性衰竭来解释。相反，线下效应，即早期和晚期巩固，在月经周期各阶段没有差异。这些结果提供了有关开始学习新的感觉运动技能以达到预期收益的最佳时间的信息。