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Visuospatial Function in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Ajna Hamidovic1, Soojeong Cho1, Shahd Smadi2
1College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|April 13, 2024
Summary
Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) show enhanced visuospatial skills during the follicular phase. Estradiol levels did not influence this cognitive difference in the study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a poorly understood condition affecting women of reproductive age.
- Cognitive function in PMDD is unclear due to testing during the luteal phase and hormonal fluctuations.
- Previous research on sex hormones and visuospatial function in women has yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate visuospatial function in women with PMDD during the follicular phase.
- To investigate the role of estradiol in mediating visuospatial function differences between women with PMDD and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Assessed visuospatial function using the mental rotation task.
- Measured serum estradiol concentrations via mass spectrometry during early and mid/late follicular phases.
- Collected data on progesterone and other demographic/biological variables.
Main Results:
- Women with PMDD exhibited significantly higher scores on the mental rotation task.
- Diagnosis of PMDD remained a significant predictor of visuospatial performance after accounting for covariates.
- Estradiol levels did not mediate the observed group difference in visuospatial function.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest enhanced visuospatial ability in women with PMDD during the follicular phase.
- Results support further research into the biological mechanisms, potentially involving an altered excitation-to-inhibition ratio, underlying PMDD.
- The study highlights the importance of considering hormonal phase in cognitive assessments for PMDD.
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