BHRI member, Dr. Kathleen Casto, recently co-authored a commentary in , which advocates for the importance of studying polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), among other menstrual irregularities, in neuroscience research.
Why menstrual cycle irregularities belong in brain research. Nat Med (2025).
Carina Heller, Erynn Christensen, Elle M. Murata, Nicole Petersen, Kathleen Casto, Shae Datta, Bart Larsen & Hector Arciniega
The menstrual cycle requires tight orchestration between the brain and body, and irregularities can be both the cause and the consequence of wide-ranging health issues. Embracing this complexity, instead of excluding individuals with irregular menstrual patterns from research, could reveal novel brain–body interactions, advance neuroscience and improve health outcomes for those affected.
Please see the link to the full article PDF below:
Dr. Kathleen Casto is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at þҹӰԺѹۿ. Her research interests include uncovering hormonal and neural mechanisms that influence social interactions, optimal performance, and health outcomes. One current focus of her research is on the influence of hormonal transitions (e.g., menstrual cycle fluctuations) and interventions (e.g., hormonal contraceptive use) on social-status behaviors, psychosocial stress, and mood disruption. A second area of focus is on testing steroid hormone correlates of attention, emotion, and reward-related patterns of cortical brain activation.
Dr. Casto, together with Dr. Moore (assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and assistant director of BHRI for the neuroimaging collaboratory), recently led an informal scientific discussion entitled: “Hormone-Brain Connections for Women’s Health” at the BHRI’s “Brains-on-Tap” public outreach program event on July 30, 2025, at the Bell Tower Brewing Co. in þҹӰԺѹۿ, Ohio. Many important issues in women’s health including PCOS were discussed, followed by questions from an engaged audience.
To read more about the “Brains on Tap” event and to listen to an audio recording of the event, please go to:
To read more about Dr. Casto and her research at þҹӰԺѹۿ State, please go to: