---
title: Does SPRM treatment change brain structure in women with PMDD?
description: No. After three months of SPRM treatment compared with placebo, there were no visible changes to brain structure. Brain changes did not correspond to symptom
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/grey-matter-morphology-in-women-with-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-treated-2022/
---

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- Does SPRM treatment change brain structure in women with PMDD?

Survey study, 2022

# Does SPRM treatment change brain structure in women with PMDD?

No. After three months of SPRM treatment compared with placebo, there were no visible changes to brain structure. Brain changes did not correspond to symptom improvement.

 Moderate study design

35 women with PMDD

## What they did

35 women with PMDD had brain scans before and after three months of treatment with either a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) or placebo. Brain structure was examined with MRI, symptoms were measured, and hormone levels were tested.

## What they found

There were no differences in grey matter volume or cortical surface features between the SPRM and placebo groups. No changes in brain structure were related to symptom severity changes.

## What it means for you

While SPRM is effective for PMDD symptoms, this study shows the symptom improvement does not involve visible changes to brain structure in the short term. The sample was small and the treatment period was only three months, so longer studies might find different results.

35

women with PMDD scanned

3

months of treatment

## About the study

Original title Grey matter morphology in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder treated with a selective progesterone receptor modulator Authors Kaltsouni E, Dubol M, Wikström J et al. Journal European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 35 What was tested Selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) or placebo for 3 months Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.10.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.10.002)

## Topics

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

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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