PCOS affects women's speed of response by 50 pc, accuracy by 10 pc: IIT Bombay research

Mumbai: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS impacts women's focus by decreasing speed of response by about 56 per cent and accuracy by about 10 per cent, researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) said.
PCOS is an endocrine disorder in women, with symptoms like irregular or absent periods, polycystic ovaries, and increased levels of male hormone (androgen).
The findings emphasise the need to understand PCOS as a complex medical condition that not only affects physical but also cognitive health.
In their recent study, Maitreyi Redkar and Prof Azizuddin Khan from the Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Bombay found that women with PCOS are slower to react and more easily distracted than their healthy counterparts.
They assessed women with attention tasks after dividing them in two groups, 101 women with PCOS and 72 healthy women. "The cognitive experiments are specifically designed to capture the subtle millisecond-level differences in how individuals respond to critical stimuli.
These minute delays reveal significant impairments in attention, which may impact our real-life functioning. In the specific context of focused attention, it is not just about concentrating on the task at hand to respond at the right time, but also inhibiting irrelevant distractors," said Prof Khan, who led the research.
Researchers used two task-based tests, the Flanker Task and the Posner Cueing Task, to test PCOS and healthy individuals for accuracy and response time.
It was found that women with PCOS showed over a 50 per cent slower response and made about 10 per cent more errors than the healthy ones in the focused attention test.
Similarly, PCOS women performed about 20 per cent slowly, with 3 per cent extra errors in the divided attention task. Among the two types of attention, PCOS women performed poorer in focused attention, the research revealed.
The hormonal imbalance associated with PCOS could lead to decreased alertness and longer reaction times. Along with elevated androgen levels, the participants with PCOS had insulin resistance that is linked to attention.
Insulin resistance causes poor glucose metabolism and affects brain cell (neuron) activity, leading to poor performance in focused attention tasks.
"PCOS is a heterogeneous condition, which means that its symptoms and severity vary depending on the hormonal profile, metabolic health, mental health and socio-environmental conditions of the individual.
Despite the variability in PCOS symptoms and their severity, the impairments in the core cognitive abilities of attention and processing speed seem to be prevalent across women," Prof Khan said.
While the challenges of low accuracy and slow response time seem daunting, playing brain games focusing on attention and memory can improve response time and accuracy, the research revealed.
"Increasing physical activity levels, maintaining a nutritious diet, and reducing weight are beneficial not just for PCOS symptoms but also for cognitive health.
Even improving sleep hygiene contributes significantly to improving attentional accuracy and reaction time," Prof Khan added.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Standard

an hour ago

• Business Standard

Salman Khan reveals brain aneurysm, AVM and the 'suicide disease'

Bollywood actor Salman Khan recently disclosed that he is living with multiple serious neurological conditions, including a brain aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and trigeminal neuralgia, commonly referred to as the 'suicide disease' due to its excruciating pain. The actor revealed these health challenges during his appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, aired June 21, where he briefly spoke about working through these conditions despite their severity. These diseases, though rare, are potentially life-threatening if not managed carefully and can significantly impact quality of life. Khan made a candid revelation during conversation with Kapil Sharma, ' Hum ye jo daily ki haddiyan tudwa rahe hain, pasliyan toot gai, trigeminal neuralgia ke sath kaam kar rahe hain, aneurysm hai brain mein uske bawajood kaam kar rahe hain. AV malformation hai, uske bawajood chal rahe hain.' ('I'm out here breaking my bones every day, ribs are fractured, I'm working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there's an aneurysm in the brain, yet I'm still working. There's also an AV malformation, and still, I'm carrying on.') What is Trigeminal Neuralgia, and why is it called the 'suicide disease'? According to the Cleveland Clinic, an American nonprofit academic medical centre based in Cleveland, Ohio, Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes intense pain attacks in your face. It happens when your trigeminal nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and chewing, is damaged or irritated. According to media reports, Khan was first diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia around 2007 during the filming of Partner. He underwent nerve surgery in the US in 2011. It is characterised by sudden, stabbing facial pain triggered by mild activities such as chewing, brushing, or speaking. It is called 'suicide disease' due to the debilitating nature of the pain, which can severely impact the patient's quality of life. It is a rare disease with an estimated global incidence of about 4 to 13 cases per 100,000 people annually, according to a 2022 study. Women are more likely to develop it than men and most cases develop after age 50. What is a brain aneurysm? According to Dr Praveen Gupta, chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, 'An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of the artery that causes it to bulge out, forming a balloon-like structure. This site is prone to rupture, leading to brain hemorrhage.' Early warning signs of aneurysm highlighted by Gupta: Sudden, severe headache (commonly described as the worst headache of life) Neck stiffness Tingling or numbness Transient vision problems or double vision Mild speech slurring Imbalance while walking Facial drooping Sudden memory issues or difficulty using appropriate words Dr Gupta explained that the treatment of this rare disease involves minimally invasive procedures to seal the aneurysm, such as endovascular coiling or flow diverter stents. In some cases, open surgery is required to place clips that prevent rupture, he said. While talking about the preventive measures, Dr Gupta said lifestyle changes to control blood pressure and avoid rupture are crucial. He said, 'Monitoring small, unruptured aneurysms with regular imaging is important, along with lifestyle changes.' In order to prevent aneurysm, he urged people to: Adopt a healthy lifestyle Strictly control blood pressure Avoid smoking Get regular screenings done, if there is a family history of aneurysms What is arteriovenous malformation (AVM)? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, AVM is a rare vascular condition in which arteries and veins are abnormally connected, bypassing the normal capillary system. This can reduce oxygen delivery to brain tissues and may rupture. It is estimated to occur in less than 1 in 10,000 people. Some of the symptoms of AVM include headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits. According to global health agencies, many cases remain undiagnosed until a rupture occurs. Gupta explained that the presence of both an aneurysm and AVM significantly increases the patient's risk for brain haemorrhage. Despite these serious diagnoses, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor continues to lead a highly active professional life. Why are these conditions dangerous? Dr Gupta emphasised that these disorders, though individually rare, can lead to life-threatening outcomes if not diagnosed or treated promptly. He said, 'Early warning signs of stroke and aneurysm are often subtle and should not be ignored. Timely intervention can be life-saving.' He further recommended: Early neurological consultations for recurring headaches or facial pain Regular monitoring for individuals with familial risk Lifestyle changes to reduce modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking Salman Khan's disclosure has shed light on lesser-known but critical neurological diseases. Despite this complex mix of neurological issues alongside physical strain and chronic sleep disruption, he continues to work actively, relying on a strong support system and fall-back health routines. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS

India Today

2 hours ago

• India Today

Salman Khan is battling brain aneurysm, trigeminal neuralgia: What are they?

Actor Salman Khan recently revealed that he is battling not one, but multiple serious medical conditions, on The Great Indian Kapil Khan had earlier revealed about battling trigeminal neuralgia, for which he underwent surgery in 2011 for relief. Now, the actor now revealed he's facing two more neurological issues: a brain aneurysm, and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).Here's what each of these health conditions means, and why they should not be What is a brain aneurysm?A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a weak spot of a blood vessel in the brain. Think of it like a balloon swelling with air, except it's blood. Over time, this bulge can grow and, if it bursts, can cause bleeding in the brain. This life-threatening situation known as a hemorrhagic aneurysms are often linked to high blood pressure, stress, smoking, and certain genetic they don't show any symptoms and are found only during scans. But if they rupture, they can cause sudden, severe headaches, blurred vision, or even is an AV malformation (AVM)?An arteriovenous malformation is a rare tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. Normally, blood flows from arteries to veins in a steady manner. But in AVM, the blood rushes directly from arteries to veins, skipping the tiny capillaries in between. This disrupts normal circulation and puts pressure on the are usually present from birth but may not show symptoms for years. When they do, they can cause headaches, ringing in the ears, seizures, weakness, or speech problems. In severe cases, they may lead to strokes or brain is trigeminal neuralgia?This condition is often called the "suicide disease" because of how painful it can neuralgia causes sharp, electric shock-like pain in the face. The pain comes suddenly and can be triggered by simple activities like eating, brushing teeth, or even happens when a blood vessel puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial sensation. It is a chronic disorder and the pain can be difficult to manage, often needing medication or even do these conditions say about stress and health?While Salman Khan didn't blame his health issues on his lifestyle, experts say stress and irregular routines can make these conditions worse. Dr Samrat Shah, consultant physician at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune, explains that poor sleep, stress, and erratic schedules disturb the body's natural time, this can increase blood pressure and weaken blood vessels, making the brain more vulnerable to aneurysms or AVMs."Chronic stress increases cortisol and blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels over time and raise the risk of serious conditions like heart disease or even brain aneurysms,' Dr Shah tells Salman's health matters to all of usDespite dealing with painful and serious conditions, Salman Khan continues to work, even performing action scenes. His story is a reminder that health problems can affect anyone, no matter how strong or fit they look on the long hours, skipping rest, and neglecting regular health check-ups can silently harm the can you protect your health?Here are a few simple things anyone can do:Get enough sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours stress: Try breathing exercises, yoga, or healthy: Avoid too much junk food or skipping active: A 30-minute walk daily can do to your body: If something feels wrong, see a doctor Watch

India Today

3 hours ago

• India Today

IIT Bombay develops smarter bunkers, boosting Indian Army's defence

The researchers at IIT Bombay to evolving warfare tactics and the growing use of advanced munitions, have developed modular bunkers aimed at offering stronger protection for soldiers and critical defence project, developed over a span of nine years, focuses on replacing traditional permanent defences with systems that can be deployed quickly and function more effectively in forward and high-risk recent Indo-Pak conflict, which unfolded last month, has brought national focus to the country's defence readiness and the risks such confrontations pose to civilians. The threat became real when drones carrying ammunition and missiles crossed into Indian airspace, putting lives in immediate development of IIT Bombay came at a very crucial time and will impact the preparedness of Indian defence in tough times in the future. Led by Professor Manish Kumar of IIT Bombay in collaboration with the College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune, the team tested these modular bunkers at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School (MICS) in Col Bharatbhushan More spearheaded the recent trials, following a major initiative by Lt. Col Alok Dua. advertisement MODULAR DESIGN OFFERS QUICK ASSEMBLY AND ENHANCED PROTECTIONThe new bunkers address the limitations of traditional PDs, which are typically built using local materials like stones, wire mesh, cement, and structures are difficult to construct in forward areas due to logistical challenges and lack of conventional shelters offer limited resistance to modern artillery and missile solve these problems, the researchers developed modular bunkers made from prefabricated ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) blocks and components are designed for quick assembly, requiring no specialised skills. Each block weighs under 20 kg and fits together like LEGO bricks. The bunkers can be erected rapidly even in remote or high-risk structure's curved roof panels are a key feature, offering improved protection against aerial attacks. Unlike flat slabs, these curved panels can deflect incoming projectiles and withstand greater impact. MODULAR BUNKERS WITHSTAND REAL COMBAT CONDITIONSTesting revealed that curved panels offer five times the resistance of flat slabs of the same material and team conducted extensive trials simulating ballistic and explosive impacts. The new PDs were tested with real ammunition and artillery blasts to assess structural integrity, resistance to spalling, and showed that the modular bunkers performed significantly better than traditional shelters, even with thinner walls. They sustained multiple direct missile impacts without structural design is modular, allowing for scalability based on the level of threat. Wall thickness can be increased by simply adding more interlocking makes the bunkers adaptable for a range of combat initiative, combining academic research with field-testing, is a step forward in modern defence modular bunkers not only enhance the safety of soldiers stationed near conflict zones but also allow the military to respond quickly to changing battlefield growing threats from precision-guided munitions and drone warfare, such innovation could play a crucial role in India's defence preparedness.