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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

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