Case-control study, 2013
Does the brain structure differ in women with PMDD?
Women with PMDD had greater gray matter volume in the posterior cerebellum, and this was related to symptom severity. This is a very small study, so the findings may not apply to all women with PMDD.
What they did
Researchers compared brain MRI scans from women with PMDD and healthy women to measure gray matter volume (brain tissue) in different brain regions during two phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Women with PMDD showed greater gray matter volume in the posterior cerebellum compared with healthy controls. This increase was proportional to PMDD symptom severity. Women with PMDD also showed reduced age-related loss in posterior cerebellar volume.
What it means for you
This suggests the cerebellum might play a role in PMDD. However, the study was very small and we don't yet understand why this structural change occurs or whether it contributes to symptoms.
12
women with PMDD
13
healthy controls
About the study
- Original title
- Elevated gray matter volume of the emotional cerebellum in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Berman SM, London ED, Morgan M et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 13
- What was tested
- none
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.06.038
Topics
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