Potential Biomarkers of Dysmenorrhea Relief: A MEG Study of Hinoki Aromatherapy and Working Memory.
Journal
Biomedicines
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
10
ISSN
2227-9059
Date Issued
2024-09-26
Author(s)
Chou, Pei-Li
Huang, Han-Sheng
Wang, Li-Min
Chieh, Jen-Jie
Shyu, Bai-Chuang
Liao, Shu-Hsien
Chien, Chiang-Ting
Abstract
: This study explored the potential of Hinoki aromatherapy to induce biomarkers of dysmenorrhea relief through working memory. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography (MEG) were used to examine their effects on neurophysiological responses to a visual working memory (VWM) test. Behavioral performance was measured to understand its effects on the overall working memory. : Twenty-four healthy participants completed the VWM task during nonmenstruation and menstruation. Behavioral (accuracy and reaction time) and neurophysiological (event-related fields, source estimation, and permutation -test on source data) measures were assessed without and with Hinoki aromatherapy. : A significant difference in the ratio of accuracy to reaction time was found without and with aromatherapy in participants with dysmenorrhea, suggesting that aromatherapy may improve working memory performance in this population. MEG analysis revealed high temporal resolution of evoked latency and intensity during the VWM task. Source localization of the activation aimed to identify brain areas involved in dysmenorrhea. Aromatherapy reduced signals in these areas, which may also contribute to reducing dysmenorrhea-related visual signals. : Based on these findings, Hinoki aromatherapy may be a promising treatment option for alleviating dysmenorrhea and improving related symptoms by reducing activity in brain pain processing regions. These regions include the left entorhinal cortex, inferior temporal gyrus, primary visual cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and presubiculum. Furthermore, decreased activity in these areas with aromatherapy suggests that they could be used as biomarkers of dysmenorrhea relief.
Subjects
MEG
aromatherapy
dysmenorrhea
working memory
Type
journal article