---
title: Can gene activity in the brain help explain or diagnose PMDD, based on a rat study?
description: In rats, a set of 17 genes could predict PMDD-like symptom groups with 96% accuracy, but this has not been tested in women.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/characterization-of-pathogenic-factors-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-using-2023/
---

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- Can gene activity in the brain help explain or diagnose PMDD, based on a rat study?

Survey study, 2023

# Can gene activity in the brain help explain or diagnose PMDD, based on a rat study?

In rats, a set of 17 genes could predict PMDD-like symptom groups with 96% accuracy, but this has not been tested in women.

 Early or limited evidence

Pseudopregnant rats used as an animal model, not human women

## What they did

Scientists grouped pseudopregnant rats into three clusters based on how much anxiety- and depression-like behavior they showed, using an unsupervised machine-learning algorithm. They then studied gene activity in the hippocampus (a brain region) of each cluster and used the results to build a model with a second group of rats.

## What they found

The researchers identified 17 key genes in the hippocampus linked to the different behavior clusters. A machine-learning model using these 17 genes correctly sorted a separate group of rats into the matching symptom clusters with 96% accuracy.

## What it means for you

This early animal research points to possible biological markers behind PMDD-like symptoms, and the authors suggest this could one day lead to a blood test. However, the study was done entirely in rats, not women, so it cannot yet tell us anything about diagnosing or treating PMDD in people.

17

Key genes identified

96%

Classification accuracy

3

Behavior-based rat clusters

## About the study

Original title Characterization of pathogenic factors for premenstrual dysphoric disorder using machine learning algorithms in rats Authors Chang YW, Hatakeyama T, Sun CW et al. Journal Molecular and cellular endocrinology Year 2023 Study design Survey study What was tested Machine-learning analysis of hippocampus gene activity to find genes linked to PMDD-like behavior Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2023.112008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2023.112008)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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## Related studies

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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