---
title: Is there a biological marker for dysphoric PMS that can be detected in blood?
description: Possibly. Women with dysphoric PMS showed increased receptor binding in blood platelets that correlated with symptom severity, but evidence comes from a very
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/increased-imidazoline-and-alpha-2-adrenergic-binding-in-platelets-of-women-with-1993/
---

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- Is there a biological marker for dysphoric PMS that can be detected in blood?

Survey study, 1993

# Is there a biological marker for dysphoric PMS that can be detected in blood?

Possibly. Women with dysphoric PMS showed increased receptor binding in blood platelets that correlated with symptom severity, but evidence comes from a very small study.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with dysphoric PMS

## What they did

Cross-sectional study examining binding to imidazoline and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors in blood platelets of women with dysphoric PMS compared with those without, measured in two menstrual cycle phases.

## What they found

Women with dysphoric PMS had increased binding to both receptor types, most pronounced during the late-luteal symptomatic phase. Binding to the imidazoline site distinguished women with dysphoric PMS from those without, was highly correlated with symptom severity, and was negatively correlated with plasma progesterone levels.

## What it means for you

Platelet binding sites might be a biological marker for dysphoric PMS risk and suggest a link between dysphoric PMS and major depression. This finding needs much larger studies to confirm. Sample size was not specified in the abstract, making firm conclusions impossible.

## About the study

Original title Increased imidazoline and alpha 2 adrenergic binding in platelets of women with dysphoric premenstrual syndromes Authors Halbreich U, Piletz JE, Carson S et al. Journal Biological psychiatry Year 1993 Study design Survey study Participants 2 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(93)90040-k](https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(93)90040-k)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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## 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?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2024

How common is PMDD?

Cohort study, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

Systematic review, 2022

What increases the risk of depression after childbirth?

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