Trimester Specific Effect of Pregnancy on Maternal Cognitive Function using Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency (CFFF) measures cognitive function by detecting the threshold at which flickering light appears steady. This threshold reflects neural processing and cortical arousal, making it useful for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can cause cognitive symptoms (“pregnancy brain”). Monitoring cognition ensures safety, productivity, and early detection of complications like pre-eclampsia. Despite importance, CFFF research during pregnancy is limited, especially across trimesters. Aim: To find out objective cognitive changes in various trimesters of pregnancy using CFFF in primigravid women and compare with non pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The present observational crosssectional study was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024 in the Department of Physiology of Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The study involved 155 primigravid women in various trimesters and 50 non pregnant women in the age group of 21-25 years. The subjects were categorised into three groups. Group A- 1st trimester group with Gestational Age (GA) between 0-13 weeks, Group B - 2nd trimester group with GA between 14- 27 weeks, Group C- 3rd trimester with GA between 28-40 weeks. CFFF was measured in all these groups and the association was analysed. CFFF was measured with CFF M1 model instrument (Mavom Labs, Bangalore) using Netra software. Data were statistically analysed by using Chi-square test. Results: The study included 53 pregnant primigravid women in the 1st trimester, 51 in the 2nd trimester, 51 in the 3rd trimester, and 50 non pregnant samples of similar age, marital status and with the average husband’s income of 42,261.29 with significant variability (SD= 28,048.74). A significant decrease in CFFF values were observed in 1st (p-value <0.001) and 3rd (p-value <0.001) trimesters in pregnant women when compared to non pregnant individuals. The 2nd trimester showed a significant increase in CFFF (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The CFFF measurements could provide a useful tool for identifying individuals at risk of more severe cognitive decline or sensory processing difficulties during pregancy and take appropriate measures. Introduction: Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency (CFFF) measures cognitive function by detecting the threshold at which flickering light appears steady. This threshold reflects neural processing and cortical arousal, making it useful for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations can cause cognitive symptoms (“pregnancy brain”). Monitoring cognition ensures safety, productivity, and early detection of complications like pre-eclampsia. Despite importance, CFFF research during pregnancy is limited, especially across trimesters. Aim: To find out objective cognitive changes in various trimesters of pregnancy using CFFF in primigravid women and compare with non pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The present observational crosssectional study was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024 in the Department of Physiology of Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The study involved 155 primigravid women in various trimesters and 50 non pregnant women in the age group of 21-25 years. The subjects were categorised into three groups. Group A- 1st trimester group with Gestational Age (GA) between 0-13 weeks, Group B - 2nd trimester group with GA between 14- 27 weeks, Group C- 3rd trimester with GA between 28-40 weeks. CFFF was measured in all these groups and the association was analysed. CFFF was measured with CFF M1 model instrument (Mavom Labs, Bangalore) using Netra software. Data were statistically analysed by using Chi-square test. Results: The study included 53 pregnant primigravid women in the 1st trimester, 51 in the 2nd trimester, 51 in the 3rd trimester, and 50 non pregnant samples of similar age, marital status and with the average husband’s income of 42,261.29 with significant variability (SD= 28,048.74). A significant decrease in CFFF values were observed in 1st (p-value <0.001) and 3rd (p-value <0.001) trimesters in pregnant women when compared to non pregnant individuals. The 2nd trimester showed a significant increase in CFFF (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The CFFF measurements could provide a useful tool for identifying individuals at risk of more severe cognitive decline or sensory processing difficulties during pregancy and take appropriate measures.