---
title: How do changes in brain chemicals during your cycle affect seizures?
description: This lab study in mice found that a brain chemical that normally decreases before your period protects against seizures. When it drops, seizures become more l
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-mouse-kindling-model-of-perimenstrual-catamenial-epilepsy-2012/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How do changes in brain chemicals during your cycle affect seizures?

Survey study, 2012

# How do changes in brain chemicals during your cycle affect seizures?

This lab study in mice found that a brain chemical that normally decreases before your period protects against seizures. When it drops, seizures become more likely.

 Early or limited evidence

Female mice with induced seizures

## What they did

Researchers created seizures in female mice, then raised and lowered a neurosteroid called allopregnanolone to mimic how it changes during the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

When the neurosteroid was high, seizures decreased in the mice. When levels dropped, seizures increased in frequency and severity, and the mice became less responsive to seizure-stopping medicines.

## What it means for you

This basic research may help explain why seizures can worsen around menstruation and could guide development of better treatments. The main limit is this was a mouse study, not humans.

## About the study

Original title A mouse kindling model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy Authors Reddy DS, Gould J, Gangisetty O Journal The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics Year 2012 Study design Survey study What was tested Raising and lowering neurosteroid levels to mimic menstrual cycle Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1124/jpet.112.192377](https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.112.192377)

## Topics

[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

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

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Review, 2010

Can neurosteroids help with anxiety and brain disorders?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with epilepsy show different brain patterns during different phases of their menstrual cycle?

Review, 2006

How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2003

What role do hormones play in PMS and how should we treat it?

Review, 2022

Can blocking a natural brain steroid help PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗