Study, 2025
Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?
A blood marker linked to depression after childbirth also showed promise in identifying women with PMDD, particularly during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Researchers tested a blood cell marker at two specific sites in women's DNA (TTC9B and HP1BP3). They tested it in 55 women: 10 with PMDD and 18 without PMDD. They also tested the same marker in 128 post-menopausal women, with 80 having depression and 48 without depression. They measured the marker during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they found
In women with PMDD, the blood marker showed better ability to identify who had PMDD during the luteal phase (second half of cycle) compared to the follicular phase. The marker also showed promise in post-menopausal women with depression. The marker was linked to hormone levels in the progesterone pathway, suggesting it tracks how women's bodies process certain hormones related to the menstrual cycle.
What it means for you
A blood test marker might eventually help identify women with PMDD or depression connected to hormone changes. This is early research with relatively small groups tested. Much larger studies would be needed before this could be used clinically to diagnose PMDD.
55
women with and without PMDD in study
10
women with PMDD
128
post-menopausal women tested
About the study
- Original title
- EPIGENETIC BIOMARKERS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IDENTIFY PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER (PMDD) AND POST-MENOPAUSAL DEPRESSION (PMD)
- Authors
- Zachary A. Kaminsky, Liisa V. Hantsoo, Jennifer L. Payne
- Journal
- The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Testing of a blood cell marker
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyae059.372
Topics
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