Case-control study, 1992
Do brainstem nerve responses change across the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMS?
Brainstem response times did not change across cycle phases in any group, but women with severe PMS had longer response times than healthy women, suggesting possible brainstem dysfunction.
What they did
Brainstem auditory responses were recorded in 21 healthy control women and 30 women with PMDD (divided into moderate and severe symptom groups) at three cycle phases: menstrual, late follicular, and late luteal.
What they found
Response latencies did not change at different cycle phases in any group. Women with moderate PMS had increased response times for one wave (III) compared to healthy controls. Women with severe PMS had increased response times for two waves (III and V) compared to healthy controls.
What it means for you
The study suggests brainstem dysfunction may be present in PMS but does not vary by cycle phase. This raises the possibility of a neurobiological predisposition to PMS. The study is limited by its small sample size.
21
Healthy control women
30
Women with PMDD
3
Cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) during the menstrual cycle in women with and without premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Howard R, Mason P, Taghavi E et al.
- Journal
- Biological psychiatry
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Measurement at different menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(92)90297-d
Topics
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