Similar cold stress induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses.

BACKGROUND: Men have higher cold-induced neuroendocrine response than women; nevertheless, it is not known whether a different stress hormone rise elicits different effects on cognition during whole body cooling. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the effect of cold-induced neuroendocrine responses on the performance of working memory sensitive tasks between men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cold stress continued until rectal temperature reached 35.5 degrees C or for a maximum of 170 min. Working memory performance and stress hormone concentrations were monitored. RESULTS: During cold stress, body temperature variables dropped in all subjects (P<0.001) and did not differ between sexes. Cold stress raised plasma epinephrine and serum cortisol levels only in men (P<0.05). Cold stress adversely affected memory performance in men but not in women (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that similar moderate cold stress in men and women induces sex-specific neuroendocrine and working memory responses.