--- title: Are there differences in brain structure and inflammation in women with PMS? description: Yes. Women with PMS showed differences in certain brain white matter pathways and higher levels of two inflammation markers compared with women without PMS, a url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/correlation-of-white-matter-microstructure-mri-and-inflammatory-cytokine-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are there differences in brain structure and inflammation in women with PMS? Cohort study, 2025 # Are there differences in brain structure and inflammation in women with PMS? Yes. Women with PMS showed differences in certain brain white matter pathways and higher levels of two inflammation markers compared with women without PMS, and these changes were linked to how severe their symptoms were. Early or limited evidence 42 women with PMS and 58 healthy women (controls) ## What they did Researchers used a special MRI scan (diffusion tensor imaging) to look at brain white matter, and blood tests to measure inflammation markers, in 42 women with PMS and 58 healthy women. Symptom severity was scored using a standard daily symptom diary (DRSP). They then checked whether brain scan results, inflammation markers, and symptom scores were related to each other. ## What they found Women with PMS had lower 'FA' (a marker of healthy white matter) in two brain areas (corpus callosum and corona radiata), and higher 'MD, AD, RD' values (other white matter markers) in two other brain pathways (corticospinal tract and anterior thalamic radiation). These brain changes were linked to symptom severity scores. PMS patients also had higher levels of two inflammation markers, IL-1β and TNF-α, than healthy women. TNF-α levels were weakly to moderately linked to the brain markers (r range 0.256-0.315) in both groups. ## What it means for you This suggests PMS may involve real, measurable changes in the brain and the immune system, not just mood or hormones. But this was an observational snapshot (not a treatment study), so it cannot prove inflammation causes the brain changes or the symptoms, just that they occur together. 42 Women with PMS studied 58 Healthy comparison women r 0.256-0.315 Correlation of TNF-α with brain markers ## About the study Original title Correlation of White Matter Microstructure MRI and Inflammatory Cytokine Alterations With Symptom Severity in Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Duan G, Qin H, Lai Y et al. Journal Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI Year 2025 Study design Cohort study What was tested None (observational comparison, no treatment tested) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/jmri.29632](https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.29632) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) 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 Systematic review, 2026 What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD? Systematic review, 2025 Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2025 Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease? Cohort study, 2024 Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup? Cohort study, 2024 Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls? Randomised trial, 2023 Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗