Case-control study, 2025
Are there differences in brain structure and inflammation in women with PMS?
Yes, women with PMS show changes in brain structure and higher inflammation markers. These brain changes and inflammation are linked to symptom severity.
What they did
Compared 41 women with PMS and 51 healthy women using brain imaging and blood tests. Measured the brain pathway connecting the thalamus to the front of the brain, including nerve fiber organization and activity levels. Tested blood for TNF-alpha inflammation marker. Built computer models to predict PMS using brain and inflammation data.
What they found
Women with PMS had changes in the left brain pathway showing altered nerve fiber organization and activity levels. They also had higher TNF-alpha, an inflammation marker. These brain changes and TNF-alpha levels were linked to how severe their PMS symptoms were. Computer models using brain measurements and TNF-alpha could diagnose PMS and predict symptom severity.
What it means for you
Brain structure and body inflammation may be involved in PMS. The brain pathway combined with inflammation measurements might help diagnose PMS. This is an observational study, so it shows associations but does not prove cause and effect.
41
women with PMS
51
healthy control women
About the study
- Original title
- Alterations of white matter connectivity in thalamic-frontal pathways associated with inflammation in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Qin H, Duan G, Zhang Q et al.
- Journal
- Psychoradiology
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 41
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/psyrad/kkaf027