Case-control study, 2013
Are brain chemicals different in women with PMDD?
Women with PMDD had higher levels of two brain proteins (BDNF and HSP70) during the luteal phase, suggesting their brain may be under stress or trying to compensate. This is a small study, so results need confirmation.
What they did
Researchers studied medical students and confirmed who had PMDD using interviews and symptom tracking over two menstrual cycles. They then measured two brain proteins (BDNF and HSP70) in blood samples during the third luteal phase.
What they found
Women with PMDD had significantly higher serum BDNF and HSP70 levels compared with women without symptoms. There was a significant positive correlation between serum BDNF and HSP70 levels.
What it means for you
Higher HSP70 may indicate brain cells are under stress. Higher BDNF may show the brain is trying to protect mood. However, this is a small study, so larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand what they mean for treatment.
25
women with PMDD
24
women without symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Luteal serum BDNF and HSP70 levels in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Oral E, Ozcan H, Kirkan TS et al.
- Journal
- European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 25
- What was tested
- measurement of serum BDNF and HSP70 levels
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00406-013-0398-z
Topics
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