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.
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
Topics
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