Human and Brain Cognitive Sciences Institute scientists. Max Planck in Leipzig found that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD, a severe form of PMS) increases the density of serotonin transporter proteins during a certain period of the cycle. This discovery will help develop new treatments for the disorder. results research It was published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Premenstrual syndrome, which includes pain as well as depression and mood swings, affects about half of women a few days before their menstrual period starts. However, about 3-8% of women have PMDD with more severe symptoms within two weeks.
Previous studies have shown that ovarian hormone fluctuations do not differ between women with PMDD and healthy women. This means that the cause of severe PMS is not related to hormones. Scientists suggest that the problem lies in the brain’s incorrect response to these hormones.
In the follicular phase of the monthly cycle, one of the dominant hormones is estradiol. Due to its high level in women, the density of serotonin transporter proteins increases by 18% until the onset of menstruation. The scientists arrived at such data after comparing the positron emission tomography results of 30 patients with PMDD and 29 healthy patients.
“The serotonin transport protein transports serotonin back from the synapse to the axon and reduces the availability of serotonin at the synapse. The more active the transport proteins are, the stronger the person feels for depressive symptoms. The researchers found that treating PMDD with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, used to treat depression, relieves symptoms quickly. It is likely that it will lead to its elimination,” he said.