---
title: Does the brain structure of people with PMDD differ between the left and right sides?
description: The brains of women with PMDD showed different patterns of left-right size in two specific areas. We cannot yet know if this difference causes PMDD or is caus
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/grey-matter-structural-asymmetry-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2026/
---

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- Does the brain structure of people with PMDD differ between the left and right sides?

Survey study, 2026

# Does the brain structure of people with PMDD differ between the left and right sides?

The brains of women with PMDD showed different patterns of left-right size in two specific areas. We cannot yet know if this difference causes PMDD or is caused by it.

 Early or limited evidence

68 women with PMDD and 51 healthy women

## What they did

Researchers used MRI brain scans to look at 68 women with PMDD and 51 healthy women during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. They compared the size of brain tissues on the left and right sides.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had more leftward gray matter in two brain regions (the anterior fusiform gyrus and anterior insula). Within the PMDD group, greater leftward size in the amygdala was moderately linked to higher irritability.

## What it means for you

Brain structure may play a role in how PMDD develops, especially for mood and irritability symptoms. The study was small and took brain pictures at only one point in time, so we cannot draw firm conclusions about whether this difference causes PMDD or what it means for treatment.

68

Women with PMDD scanned

51

Healthy control women

## About the study

Original title Grey matter structural asymmetry and premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Bücklein-Ehlers E, Dubol M, Derntl B et al. Journal Neuropsychobiology Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 68 What was tested None, observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1159/000553663](https://doi.org/10.1159/000553663)

## Topics

[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

Cohort study, 2026

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How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together?

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Does continuous paroxetine or birth control work better for PMDD?

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Study, 2026

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

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Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?

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