---
title: Do women with PMDD have differences in brain white matter structure?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD showed differences in white matter structure in specific brain regions compared to healthy women. These differences were associated with
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/white-matter-microstructure-and-volume-correlates-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-2022/
---

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- Do women with PMDD have differences in brain white matter structure?

Cohort study, 2022

# Do women with PMDD have differences in brain white matter structure?

Yes. Women with PMDD showed differences in white matter structure in specific brain regions compared to healthy women. These differences were associated with symptom severity, but the clinical significance is unclear.

 Early or limited evidence

Two groups of people with PMDD and healthy controls (67 in one dataset, 131 in another)

## What they did

Researchers used brain imaging to examine white matter in people with PMDD and healthy controls. They used two datasets: one with 67 participants and another with 131 participants. They analyzed measurements of white matter organization and volume throughout the brain.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had greater white matter organization in the left uncinate fasciculus (effect size 0.69). The volume of the right uncinate fasciculus was higher in women with PMDD versus controls (effect size 0.40). Severity of premenstrual depression was positively correlated with white matter organization in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (correlation 0.35).

## What it means for you

Brain imaging shows women with PMDD have white matter differences in certain regions, correlating with symptom severity. However, the clinical meaning is unclear. The study was small and difficult to interpret biologically. It provides basic science evidence but not yet practical clinical applications.

67

participants in first imaging dataset

131

participants in second imaging dataset

0.69

effect size for white matter differences

## About the study

Original title White matter microstructure and volume correlates of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Gu X, Dubol M, Stiernman L et al. Journal Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN Year 2022 Study design Cohort study Participants 131 What was tested None. Observational neuroimaging study comparing brain structure between groups. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1503/jpn.210143](https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.210143)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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