Case-control study, 2007
Does progesterone activate the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion?
In 18 healthy women, taking progesterone doses that matched luteal phase levels significantly increased activity in the amygdala (the brain's emotion and fear center) when viewing emotional images. This may explain why progesterone could cause anxiety in women with PMDD.
What they did
Small brain imaging study (fMRI) comparing amygdala activation in 18 young women. They were tested twice during their follicular phase: once after taking placebo and once after taking progesterone that raised levels to luteal phase amounts.
What they found
Amygdala activation was significantly greater after progesterone than after placebo when women viewed emotional stimuli. Progesterone did not affect activity in other brain regions tested.
What it means for you
Progesterone may trigger anxiety by activating the amygdala in women with PMDD. However, this was a small study in healthy women without PMDD, so results may not apply to affected women.
18
Healthy young women studied
day 2-7
Follicular phase testing days
About the study
- Original title
- Brain Imaging Suggests Origin of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Authors
- Joan Arehart-Treichel
- Journal
- Psychiatric News
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 18
- What was tested
- Oral progesterone dose (to mimic luteal phase levels) or placebo, both given during follicular phase
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/pn.42.18.0013a
Topics
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