Randomised trial, 1997
Does serotonin play a role in PMS and can a drug acting on serotonin help?
Yes, a serotonin-acting drug improved PMS symptoms when given during the premenstrual phase, suggesting serotonin is involved. However, serotonin appears to be a modulating factor rather than the primary cause.
What they did
A double-blind study with 10 women with PMS and 10 healthy controls. Each received a single oral dose of m-CPP (0.5 mg/kg), a drug that acts on serotonin, during both the follicular and luteal phases. Hormone levels and behavioral responses were measured.
What they found
m-CPP during the luteal phase resulted in acute improvement of PMS symptoms. The cortisol and ACTH hormone responses to m-CPP were blunted in women with PMS compared with controls in both phases. Data suggest dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis but little evidence for luteal phase-specific serotonergic dysfunction.
What it means for you
Serotonin appears involved in PMS as a modulating factor, not the primary cause. The hormone regulation system may also play a role. This is a very small single-dose study, so findings are preliminary.
10
women with PMS
10
healthy controls
0.5 mg/kg
m-CPP dose
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of menstrual cycle phase on neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to the serotonin agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine in women with premenstrual syndrome and controls
- Authors
- Su TP, Schmidt PJ, Danaceau M et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 10
- What was tested
- Single oral dose of m-CPP (0.5 mg/kg) given during follicular and luteal phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1210/jcem.82.4.3905
Topics
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