---
title: Does brain activity during response inhibition differ in women with PMDD?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD showed reduced activity in brain areas involved in attention and movement control compared to healthy women, and the insula showed differ
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-menstrual-cycle-phase-on-brain-2012/
---

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- Does brain activity during response inhibition differ in women with PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2012

# Does brain activity during response inhibition differ in women with PMDD?

Yes. Women with PMDD showed reduced activity in brain areas involved in attention and movement control compared to healthy women, and the insula showed different activation patterns across menstrual cycle phases.

 Early or limited evidence

14 women with PMDD, 13 healthy controls

## What they did

A study where 14 women with PMDD and 13 healthy controls performed a Go/NoGo task (a test measuring response inhibition) while their brain activity was measured using fMRI during both follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had decreased activity in several parietal brain areas during both menstrual cycle phases compared to controls. The left insula showed a cycle-related difference: healthy controls had enhanced activity in the follicular phase, while PMDD women showed enhanced insula activity during the luteal phase.

## What it means for you

Brain function during inhibition tasks differs in women with PMDD, particularly in areas related to emotion processing. The luteal phase differences suggest ovarian hormones influence these brain changes. Main limitations include the small sample size and incomplete study design.

14

PMDD patients

13

healthy controls

## About the study

Original title The effect of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and menstrual cycle phase on brain activity during response inhibition Authors Bannbers E, Gingnell M, Engman J et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 2012 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Go/NoGo task with fMRI brain imaging during follicular and luteal phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.04.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.04.006)

## 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/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

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Case-control study, 2023

Do emotion regulation strategies help women with PMDD manage mood and stress hormones?

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