---
title: Does PMDD change the brain's electrical activity? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with PMDD show a shift to negative patterns in brain electrical activity during the luteal phase while controls remain stable. This change in a bra
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-changes-in-frontal-alpha-asymmetry-2004/
---

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- Does PMDD change the brain's electrical activity?

Case-control study, 2004

# Does PMDD change the brain's electrical activity?

Yes. Women with PMDD show a shift to negative patterns in brain electrical activity during the luteal phase while controls remain stable. This change in a brain measure linked to mood matches their severe negative mood.

 Early or limited evidence

5 women with PMDD and 5 control women

## What they did

Case-control study measuring brain electrical activity (EEG) in 5 women with PMDD across two menstrual cycles and 5 control women across one cycle. Researchers measured alpha asymmetry, an electrical pattern linked to mood state.

## What they found

During the luteal phase, PMDD women's brain electrical patterns shifted into the negative range, while control women remained in normal ranges. Both groups started in normal ranges before the luteal phase.

## What it means for you

PMDD involves measurable changes in brain activity linked to mood state. Findings are preliminary and limited by very small sample size (5 women per group) and only one cycle observed in controls.

5

Women with PMDD

5

Control women

2

Menstrual cycles in PMDD group

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and changes in frontal alpha asymmetry Authors Baehr E, Rosenfeld P, Miller L et al. Journal International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology Year 2004 Study design Case-control study What was tested EEG brain electrical activity monitoring across menstrual cycle Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2003.06.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2003.06.002)

## 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/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## 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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