Interview study, 2008
How do hormones change the brain in PMDD and menstrual-related seizures?
Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect brain chemicals that control mood and seizure activity. These effects may explain why both PMDD and menstrual-related seizures worsen around the menstrual cycle, suggesting similar treatments might help both conditions.
What they did
A review of existing research examining how sex hormones including estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone affect brain chemicals and how these changes relate to PMDD and catamenial epilepsy (seizures linked to the menstrual cycle).
What they found
Sex hormones have powerful effects on the brain's main inhibitory and excitatory chemicals called GABA and glutamate. These effects on brain chemicals may explain both PMDD and menstrual-related seizure disorders. The two conditions share similar patterns and may have related brain chemistry causes.
What it means for you
PMDD and menstrual-related seizures may share common causes involving changes in brain chemistry from hormones. This suggests researchers might be able to develop treatments that help both conditions. However, more studies are needed since this is a review of existing knowledge, not new research findings.
About the study
- Original title
- The role of sex steroids in catamenial epilepsy and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: implications for diagnosis and treatment
- Authors
- Guille C, Spencer S, Cavus I et al.
- Journal
- Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Interview study
- What was tested
- None - review of existing research
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.02.004
Topics
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