Non-randomised trial, 1996
Do women with PMDD have different brain wave patterns linked to alcoholism risk?
Yes. Women with PMDD showed different patterns in brain waves and electrical responses compared to healthy women. Those with a family history of alcoholism showed even more pronounced differences, suggesting PMDD and alcoholism risk may share biological mechanisms.
What they did
A study measuring brain activity using EEG (brain wave recordings), ERG (eye response recordings), and neuropsychological testing in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (an earlier name for PMDD) and healthy controls across their menstrual cycles.
What they found
In both PMDD and control women, the frequency and stability of EEG alpha activity differed across the menstrual cycle. The P3 component of auditory event-related potentials (a brain response to sounds) was longer in PMDD women overall, not varying by cycle phase. Among PMDD women with alcoholic relatives compared to those without and controls, there was more high-frequency alpha activity (9-12 Hz), lower P3 amplitudes, and longer P3 latencies.
What it means for you
PMDD may involve persistent differences in brain function visible in brain wave recordings. The similarities with alcoholism risk factors suggest these conditions may share underlying biological mechanisms. A major limitation is that the abstract does not specify the sample size, making it impossible to assess the statistical power of this study.
9-12
Hz high-frequency alpha in alcoholism-risk group
About the study
- Original title
- Electrophysiological findings during the menstrual cycle in women with and without late luteal phase dysphoric disorder: relationship to risk for alcoholism?
- Authors
- Ehlers CL, Phillips E, Parry BL
- Journal
- Biological psychiatry
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- EEG and ERG recordings and neuropsychological testing across menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(95)00183-2
Topics
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