---
title: Do women with PMDD have different brain activity linked to their mood changes?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD showed increased activity in a specific brain region as they moved from the first half to the second half of their cycle, and this increa
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/neuroimaging-evidence-of-cerebellar-involvement-in-premenstrual-dysphoric-2011/
---

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- Do women with PMDD have different brain activity linked to their mood changes?

Survey study, 2011

# Do women with PMDD have different brain activity linked to their mood changes?

Yes. Women with PMDD showed increased activity in a specific brain region as they moved from the first half to the second half of their cycle, and this increase was linked to worsening mood. Healthy women did not show this pattern.

 Early or limited evidence

12 women with PMDD and 12 healthy women

## What they did

Researchers used brain scans to measure glucose metabolism in 12 women with PMDD and 12 healthy women. They scanned each woman during the first half of her cycle and again during the second half, and asked them to rate their mood.

## What they found

Women with PMDD showed increased activity in a brain region called the cerebellum, particularly on the right side, from the first half to the second half of their cycle. This increase in brain activity correlated with worsening mood in the PMDD group. The two groups had similar hormone levels.

## What it means for you

Brain activity changes in a specific region may contribute to PMDD mood symptoms. The main limitation is the very small sample of 12 women in each group and that no treatments were tested.

12

women with PMDD

12

healthy women

2

cycle phases studied

## About the study

Original title Neuroimaging evidence of cerebellar involvement in premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Rapkin AJ, Berman SM, Mandelkern MA et al. Journal Biological psychiatry Year 2011 Study design Survey study Participants 12 What was tested None. This tracked brain activity and mood changes. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.029](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.029)

## 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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## 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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