Case-control study, 1998
Do stress receptors on immune cells function differently in women with PMDD?
Women with PMDD have higher beta2-adrenergic receptor density compared to healthy women. Measurements in the follicular phase predict how severe luteal phase symptoms will be.
What they did
Researchers measured beta2-adrenergic receptors on immune cells (neutrophils) in 18 women with PMDD during the follicular and late luteal phases, and in 15 control women during the follicular phase. They measured receptor density and how well receptors coupled to cell signaling proteins.
What they found
Follicular phase beta2-adrenergic receptor density was higher in PMDD patients than in control subjects. The menstrual cycle phase had no effect on receptor regulation within PMDD women. Follicular beta2-adrenergic receptor binding measures in PMDD patients were correlated with severity of luteal phase symptoms.
What it means for you
Abnormal beta2-adrenergic receptor regulation in PMDD may contribute to mood and anxiety symptoms and may explain why antidepressants help some women. The main limitation is the small sample size.
18
women with PMDD
15
control women
higher density
PMDD vs controls
About the study
- Original title
- Adrenergic receptors in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. II. Neutrophil beta2-adrenergic receptors: Gs protein coupling, phase of menstrual cycle and prediction of luteal phase symptom severity
- Authors
- Gurguis GN, Yonkers KA, Blakeley JE et al.
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 18
- What was tested
- None - observational receptor measurement study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(98)00025-0
Topics
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