Menstrual cycle phase alters corticospinal excitability and spike-timing-dependent plasticity in healthy females

Does the menstrual cycle modulate spike-timing-dependent plasticity? In the present study, a facilitatory paired associative stimulation protocol was used to probe Hebbian plasticity in three hormonally distinct menstrual cycle phases. Facilitation was induced in all menstrual cycle phases, but this effect lasted longer and was of greater magnitude in the luteal phase when estrogens and progesterone were both elevated. This provides insights into the potential mechanisms by which these hormones influence neuroplasticity in females.