Prefrontal brain asymmetry and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder symptomatology

J Affect Disord. 2011 Jan;128(1-2):178-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.07.017. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Abstract

Background: Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a dysphoric form of pre-menstrual syndrome, is included as a diagnosis for further study in the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000). The present study investigated whether a marker of risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), prefrontal brain asymmetry, also characterizes women with PMDD.

Methods: In a sample of 25 college women with PMDD symptomatology and 25 matched controls, resting frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was assessed on four occasions within a two-week span.

Results: Across several frontal sites women with PMDD had relatively less left than right prefrontal brain activity, consistent with a diathesis-stress model for menstrual-related dysphoria.

Conclusions: The findings suggest an overlap in the risk profile for MDD and PMDD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / psychology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult