Influence of estradiol on functional brain organization for working memory

► Estradiol changes across the menstrual cycle had different hemispheric effects. ► Greater left frontal n-back activation was associated with higher estradiol. ► Greater left frontal n-back activation was associated with performance decrements. ► Greater right-hemisphere activation was associated with improved n-back performance. ► Right hemisphere may compensate for interference of estradiol in the left hemisphere.