---
title: What brain changes happen in PMDD? | Niyora
description: Women with PMDD show several brain differences on imaging: more grey matter in the cerebellum, changes in serotonin and GABA chemicals, and different patterns
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/neuroimaging-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-a-systematic-and-critical-review-2020/
---

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- What brain changes happen in PMDD?

Systematic review, 2020

# What brain changes happen in PMDD?

Women with PMDD show several brain differences on imaging: more grey matter in the cerebellum, changes in serotonin and GABA chemicals, and different patterns of activity in emotion-related brain regions.

 Moderate study design

361 participants across 18 neuroimaging studies of PMDD

## What they did

They reviewed 18 neuroimaging studies involving 361 participants to examine the structure and function of the brain in women with PMDD compared to others.

## What they found

Greater cerebellar grey matter volume and metabolism were observed in patients with PMDD. Altered serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission was noted. Differential corticolimbic activation in response to emotional stimuli was observed, namely enhanced amygdalar and diminished fronto-cortical function.

## What it means for you

PMDD appears to be linked to specific brain structure and chemical differences. However, the research is still early and results are somewhat inconsistent between studies, so we need more research to understand these brain features clearly.

18

neuroimaging studies reviewed

361

participants studied

3

main brain findings: cerebellum, serotonin/GABA, emotion circuits

## About the study

Original title Neuroimaging premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A systematic and critical review Authors Dubol M, Epperson CN, Lanzenberger R et al. Journal Frontiers in neuroendocrinology Year 2020 Study design Systematic review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100838](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100838)

## Topics

[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/)

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