Study, 1995
Do women with depression before their period have different brain chemistry than other women?
No clear difference was found in brain chemistry between women with depression before their period and control women, even though the test measured a key system involved in mood.
What they did
17 women with premenstrual depression and 14 control women were given a drug called d-fenfluramine in two tests: once when their mood was worst (before their period) and once after their period. Women weighing less than 65 kg received 15 mg; others received 30 mg. Researchers measured hormone levels to assess brain chemistry changes.
What they found
Both groups showed a hormone response to the drug, but there was no clear difference between the groups. Hormone levels were higher after the period but did not relate to other measured responses. Another hormone showed a smaller response and changed more after the period in both groups. No differences were found between women with premenstrual depression and controls.
What it means for you
This test did not find evidence that women with depression before their period have altered brain chemistry in the system tested, even though other methods have suggested such differences. This may mean the relevant system is different from what this test measures. The main limit is the very small sample size of only 17 and 14 women.
17
women with premenstrual depression
14
control women
15 or 30 mg
d-fenfluramine dose by weight
About the study
- Original title
- The neuroendocrine response to d-fenfluramine in women with premenstrual depression
- Authors
- Bancroft J, Cook A
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 17
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(95)00060-7
Topics
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