Study, 2006
Is there a difference in brain activity between women with high and low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?
Women with low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms had more left frontal brain activity at rest compared to women with high symptoms, and this was consistent across both menstrual cycle phases.
What they did
Researchers measured brain electrical activity in 12 college women with high premenstrual negative mood and 11 with low premenstrual negative mood, during both the follicular and late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Women with low premenstrual dysphoric symptoms had greater relative left frontal brain activity at rest compared to women with high symptoms. This difference was present at both cycle phases, not just one.
What it means for you
There may be a brain difference in emotional processing, with lower left-side frontal activity associated with more symptoms. This suggests PMDD involves an underlying predisposition. However, the study used college students with extreme symptoms and didn't confirm PMDD diagnosis, so results may not apply to all women.
12
women with high premenstrual symptoms
11
women with low premenstrual symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Frontal EEG asymmetry and premenstrual dysphoric symptomatology
- Authors
- Accortt EE, Allen JJ
- Journal
- Journal of abnormal psychology
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 12
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.115.1.179
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2026
What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?
Systematic review, 2026
How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together?
Systematic review, 2026
Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS 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?
Systematic review, 2026
How much of PMDD treatment improvement comes from placebo effect?