Functional MRI evidence of brain alterations in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review
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By
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Kornelia Bartoszewicz
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Edyta Szurowska
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June 4, 2026
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Objective:
To synthesize current evidence on functional brain alterations in women with PMDD using fMRI.
Key Findings:
- Alterations in top-down regulatory mechanisms and large-scale brain networks were observed.
- Decreased activation in the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, and postcentral gyrus.
- Increased activation in the amygdala and insula.
- Impairments in corticolimbic connectivity were noted.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- The review does not address the effectiveness of alternative treatment options for PMDD.
- Potential biases in the selection of studies included in the review.
Conclusion:
Identifying abnormalities in brain function could inform future research directions.
