---
title: Are brain chemicals different in women with PMDD? | Niyora
description: Women with PMDD had higher levels of two brain proteins (BDNF and HSP70) during the luteal phase, suggesting their brain may be under stress or trying to comp
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/luteal-serum-bdnf-and-hsp70-levels-in-women-with-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2013/
---

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- Are brain chemicals different in women with PMDD?

Case-control study, 2013

# Are brain chemicals different in women with PMDD?

Women with PMDD had higher levels of two brain proteins (BDNF and HSP70) during the luteal phase, suggesting their brain may be under stress or trying to compensate. This is a small study, so results need confirmation.

 Early or limited evidence

25 women with PMDD and 24 women without premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

Researchers studied medical students and confirmed who had PMDD using interviews and symptom tracking over two menstrual cycles. They then measured two brain proteins (BDNF and HSP70) in blood samples during the third luteal phase.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had significantly higher serum BDNF and HSP70 levels compared with women without symptoms. There was a significant positive correlation between serum BDNF and HSP70 levels.

## What it means for you

Higher HSP70 may indicate brain cells are under stress. Higher BDNF may show the brain is trying to protect mood. However, this is a small study, so larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand what they mean for treatment.

25

women with PMDD

24

women without symptoms

## About the study

Original title Luteal serum BDNF and HSP70 levels in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Oral E, Ozcan H, Kirkan TS et al. Journal European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience Year 2013 Study design Case-control study Participants 25 What was tested measurement of serum BDNF and HSP70 levels Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00406-013-0398-z](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-013-0398-z)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)

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Do stress and rumination increase with PMS severity?

Case-control study, 2019

Do women with PMDD respond differently to stress?

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