IIT Bombay study finds PCOS can affect women's attention span
In a recent study, IIT Bombay researchers examined how Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition, might not just affect the body but also the mind, particularly attention span.PCOS is widely known for causing problems such as irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and fertility issues in women. Over 11% of Indian women are estimated to be suffering from this endocrinal dysfunction.advertisementWhile much research has explored its physical and hormonal impact, fewer studies have looked at how it might influence brain functions like attention. This new study is among the first to examine how PCOS may affect a woman's ability to concentrate and stay focused.
ALL ABOUT THE STUDYThe research, published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC, involved 173 women, including 101 women diagnosed with PCOS and 72 women without the condition. The scientists used two specific tests to measure different types of attention:Focused attention, which is the ability to concentrate on one thing while ignoring distractions.Divided attention, which is the ability to pay attention to multiple things at once.Participants were given simple computer-based tasks designed to measure how quickly and accurately they responded to certain cues.WHAT THE RESEARCHERS FOUNDadvertisementThe study revealed that women with PCOS were slower in tasks that required focused attention. On average, their reaction time was 557 milliseconds, nearly 100 milliseconds slower than their performance in the divided attention task. They also made slightly more mistakes when asked to focus on a single task.In contrast, their performance in divided attention tasks, those that required multitasking, was relatively better in both speed and accuracy.In simple terms, this means women with PCOS may find it more difficult to concentrate on one task at a time compared to women without the condition.Although the differences were not drastic, they were noticeable enough to suggest that PCOS could have a subtle effect on how the brain processes attention.Attention is a key part of our daily lives, it helps us work, learn, and interact with others. If PCOS affects attention, even slightly, it could impact how women with the condition perform tasks that require focus, such as studying, driving, or working in distraction-heavy environments.This study adds a new layer to how we understand PCOS. It shows that the condition may not just be about hormones or physical health, it might also influence cognitive functions like attention.However, more research is needed to understand why this happens and whether treatment for PCOS can also improve attention issues.Trending Reel
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