---
title: Can a simple taste test identify women with ADHD and severe PMS?
description: A simple taste test showed women with both ADHD and severe PMS (PMDD) did not respond to lidocaine as expected. This might point to a physical difference in h
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/lidocaine-ineffectiveness-suggests-new-psychopharmacology-drug-target-2022/
---

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- Can a simple taste test identify women with ADHD and severe PMS?

Non-randomised trial, 2022

# Can a simple taste test identify women with ADHD and severe PMS?

A simple taste test showed women with both ADHD and severe PMS (PMDD) did not respond to lidocaine as expected. This might point to a physical difference in how their nerve cells work.

 Early or limited evidence

53 people total (women with ADHD and/or PMS, plus controls); 12 initially used to validate the test

## What they did

Developed a taste test for lidocaine response. First validated it in 12 people by comparing it to injected lidocaine. Then tested it in 53 people total including those with ADHD and PMS and controls.

## What they found

Women with ADHD and PMS together showed a strong association with not responding to lidocaine as expected, suggesting a biological cause related to how nerve cells work.

## What it means for you

There may be a simple test to help identify women with ADHD and PMDD. This study was very small and early-stage, so it needs much more testing before it could be used in clinics.

53

Total participants (cases and controls)

12

Used to validate the test initially

## About the study

Original title Lidocaine Ineffectiveness Suggests New Psychopharmacology Drug Target Authors Mintz M, Badner V, Feldman LK et al. Journal Psychopharmacology bulletin Year 2022 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 53 What was tested Lidocaine taste test Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.64719/pb.4441](https://doi.org/10.64719/pb.4441)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[ADHD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-adhd/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Survey study, 2026

Do women with ADHD and autism have more premenstrual problems than women without these conditions?

Case-control study, 2024

Do women with PMDD have more attention and memory problems than other women?

Survey study, 2025

Are girls with ADHD or autism more likely to have severe PMS or PMDD?

Survey study, 2025

Are women with ADHD more likely to have PMDD?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

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