---
title: Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMDD? | Niyora
description: Women with PMDD have lower levels of GABA (which helps calm the brain) and higher levels of Glx (which activates the brain) in regions that control mood.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/alterations-of-gaba-and-glutamate-glutamine-levels-in-premenstrual-dysphoric-2015/
---

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- Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMDD?

Case-control study, 2015

# Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMDD?

Women with PMDD have lower levels of GABA (which helps calm the brain) and higher levels of Glx (which activates the brain) in regions that control mood.

 Early or limited evidence

22 women with PMDD and 22 age-matched healthy controls

## What they did

Brain scans (3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) of 22 women with PMDD and 22 healthy controls during the late luteal phase to measure GABA and Glx levels in two brain regions.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had significantly lower GABA+ concentrations in both brain regions (anterior cingulate/prefrontal cortex and left basal ganglia) compared to healthy controls. They also had significantly higher Glx levels in the anterior cingulate/prefrontal cortex region.

## What it means for you

This is the first study showing these chemical imbalances in PMDD. The findings suggest dysregulation of brain chemicals that control mood may contribute to PMDD. The small sample size limits how much we can generalize, and larger studies are needed to confirm.

22

Women with PMDD

22

Healthy controls

2

Brain regions measured

## About the study

Original title Alterations of GABA and glutamate-glutamine levels in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study Authors Liu B, Wang G, Gao D et al. Journal Psychiatry research Year 2015 Study design Case-control study Participants 22 What was tested Brain imaging to measure brain neurotransmitter levels Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.10.020](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.10.020)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?

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