Survey study, 2024
How do mood and emotion regulation differ between women with PMS and PMDD?
Women with PMS had reduced activity in the brain region controlling emotional responses, while women with PMDD did not show this difference. Both groups had different mood patterns across phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 46 women categorized as having PMS, PMDD, or neither based on gynecologist diagnosis. Women viewed emotion-inducing pictures while brain activity in the prefrontal cortex was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, a non-invasive brain imaging technique. Mood was also assessed using questionnaires.
What they found
The PMS group showed reduced emotional expression in the prefrontal cortex during both follicular and luteal phases. The PMDD group had higher negative mood during the luteal phase while the PMS group had higher negative mood and lower positive mood during the follicular phase. No significant differences in brain activity were found between PMDD and non-PMS groups.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may have different brain responses to emotions compared to women with PMDD, though the clinical meaning is unclear. Brain imaging and mood questionnaires may help distinguish between these conditions in the future. This is a small study that does not explain why these differences exist.
46
Study participants
About the study
- Original title
- Characterization of mood and emotion regulation in females with PMS/PMDD using near-infrared spectroscopy to assess prefrontal cerebral blood flow and the mood questionnaire
- Authors
- Makiko AOKI, Masato Suzuki, Satoshi Suzuki et al.
- Journal
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Observational study measuring brain activity and mood in women with different menstrual cycle diagnoses
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2405.06457
Topics
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