Pregnancy brain, or mamnesia, is a common but not fully understood phenomenon linked to hormonal changes, with recent studies offering new insights.
Frequent forgetfulness during pregnancy
Frequent forgetfulness during pregnancy, often referred to as "mamnesia" or "pregnancy brain," is a common experience for many women, particularly in the later months of pregnancy. This phenomenon involves difficulties with reading, concentration, forgetfulness, and absentmindedness.Not a standardized medical diagnosis
However, it is not a standardized medical diagnosis, and the experience varies in intensity among pregnant women. Some may notice only minor changes, while others may feel more significantly affected in their daily cognitive tasks.Memory complaints and cognitive tests
A review published in 2025 in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth notes that memory complaints during pregnancy do not always correspond to a measurable decline in cognitive tests. Feeling less effective in daily life does not necessarily indicate that the brain is functioning poorly.Hormonal pathway studied in mice
While a hormonal pathway has been studied, primarily in mice, the evidence in humans remains limited. A study published in Science Bulletin in 2026 suggests that high levels of estrogen in mice may be associated with the activation of an inhibitory circuit linking the hypothalamus and the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory.Experimental findings in mice
This "brake" effect may reduce hippocampal activity and disrupt certain learning processes. However, this finding is mainly experimental and does not fully explain the phenomenon in humans.
