Study, 1989
Is neurotensin involved in causing PMS?
No. Women with PMS had similar neurotensin levels in their spinal fluid compared to healthy women. This brain chemical does not appear to be abnormal in PMS.
What they did
Researchers measured neurotensin (a brain chemical) in the spinal fluid of patients with various psychiatric conditions including PMS, and compared them to healthy controls.
What they found
Neurotensin levels were the same in people with PMS as in the control group. Levels were not changed and did not show any pattern related to PMS.
What it means for you
This brain chemical does not appear to be abnormal in PMS, so it is probably not involved in causing PMS. However, this is only one chemical in the brain, so finding that it is normal does not tell us what does cause PMS. The number of PMS participants is not clearly stated, which is a limitation.
About the study
- Original title
- Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia, depression, anorexia nervosa-bulimia, and premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Nemeroff CB, Bissette G, Widerlov E et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None - laboratory measurement study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/jnp.1.1.16
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2005
How does acute tryptophan depletion help us understand mood disorders?
Cohort study, 2023
Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?
Case-control study, 2006
Are hormone-related chemicals different in women with mood disorders during the menstrual cycle?
Review, 2004
Could a brain hormone called allopregnanolone explain mood problems like PMDD in women?
Review, 1991
Can serotonin drugs treat PMS?
Survey study, 1990
Does PMS come from a broken stress hormone system?