--- title: Do women with depression before their period have different brain chemistry than other women? description: No clear difference was found in brain chemistry between women with depression before their period and control women, even though the test measured a key syst url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-neuroendocrine-response-to-d-fenfluramine-in-women-with-premenstrual-1995/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with depression before their period have different brain chemistry than other women? Study, 1995 # Do women with depression before their period have different brain chemistry than other women? No clear difference was found in brain chemistry between women with depression before their period and control women, even though the test measured a key system involved in mood. Early or limited evidence 17 women with premenstrual depression and 14 control women ## What they did 17 women with premenstrual depression and 14 control women were given a drug called d-fenfluramine in two tests: once when their mood was worst (before their period) and once after their period. Women weighing less than 65 kg received 15 mg; others received 30 mg. Researchers measured hormone levels to assess brain chemistry changes. ## What they found Both groups showed a hormone response to the drug, but there was no clear difference between the groups. Hormone levels were higher after the period but did not relate to other measured responses. Another hormone showed a smaller response and changed more after the period in both groups. No differences were found between women with premenstrual depression and controls. ## What it means for you This test did not find evidence that women with depression before their period have altered brain chemistry in the system tested, even though other methods have suggested such differences. This may mean the relevant system is different from what this test measures. The main limit is the very small sample size of only 17 and 14 women. 17 women with premenstrual depression 14 control women 15 or 30 mg d-fenfluramine dose by weight ## About the study Original title The neuroendocrine response to d-fenfluramine in women with premenstrual depression Authors Bancroft J, Cook A Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1995 Study design Study Participants 17 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(95)00060-7](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(95)00060-7) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/) 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, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Non-randomised trial, 2024 Does luteal phase sertraline treatment affect stress hormones and inflammation in PMDD? Randomised trial, 2023 Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms? Case-control study, 2007 Does serotonin function change differently in PMDD versus PMS versus healthy women? Survey study, 1997 How do doctors treat mood and energy problems linked to the menstrual cycle? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗