---
title: Is there a difference in brain activity between women with high and low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?
description: Women with low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms had more left frontal brain activity at rest compared to women with high symptoms, and this was consistent acro
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/frontal-eeg-asymmetry-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-symptomatology-2006/
---

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- Is there a difference in brain activity between women with high and low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?

Study, 2006

# Is there a difference in brain activity between women with high and low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?

Women with low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms had more left frontal brain activity at rest compared to women with high symptoms, and this was consistent across both menstrual cycle phases.

 Early or limited evidence

12 college women with high premenstrual negative affect and 11 with low premenstrual negative affect

## What they did

Researchers measured brain electrical activity in 12 college women with high premenstrual negative mood and 11 with low premenstrual negative mood, during both the follicular and late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Women with low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms had greater relative left frontal brain activity at rest compared to women with high symptoms. This difference was present at both cycle phases, not just one.

## What it means for you

There may be a brain difference in emotional processing, with lower left-side frontal activity associated with more symptoms. This suggests PMDD involves an underlying predisposition. However, the study used college students with extreme symptoms and didn't confirm PMDD diagnosis, so results may not apply to all women.

12

women with high premenstrual symptoms

11

women with low premenstrual symptoms

## About the study

Original title Frontal EEG asymmetry and premenstrual dysphoric symptomatology Authors Accortt EE, Allen JJ Journal Journal of abnormal psychology Year 2006 Study design Study Participants 12 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.115.1.179](https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.115.1.179)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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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## Related studies

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