Alterations of GABA and glutamate–glutamine levels in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Issue 1 (30th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Bo; Wang, Guangbin; Gao, Dongmei; Gao, Fei; Zhao, Bin; Qiao, Mingqi; Yang, Huan; Yu, Yanhong; Ren, Fuxin; Yang, Ping; Chen, Weibo; Rae, Caroline D.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 231:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2015-01-30
• Subjects: Premenstrual dysphoric syndrome -- Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- GABA -- Glutamate–glutamine; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Brain -- Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; Cerveau -- Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; 616.890754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.10.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-4927

Abstract

Abstract: Increasing evidence has suggested that the GABAergic neurotransmitter system is involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) to investigate whether PMDD is associated with alterations in brain GABA levels. Levels of glutamate–glutamine (Glx) were also explored. Participants comprised 22 women with PMDD and 22 age-matched healthy controls who underwent 3 T 1 H MRS during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. GABA+ and Glx levels were quantified in the anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (ACC/mPFC) and the left basal ganglia (ltBG). Water-scaled GABA+ concentrations and GABA+/tCr ratios were significantly lower in both the ACC/mPFC and ltBG regions of PMDD women than in healthy controls. Glx/tCr ratios were significantly higher in the ACC/mPFC region of PMDD women than healthy controls. Our preliminary findings provide the first report of abnormal levels of GABA+ and Glx in mood-related brain regions of women with PMDD, indicating that dysregulation of the amino acid neurotransmitter system may be an important neurobiological mechanism in the pathogenesis of PMDD. Highlights: This study examines GABA+ and Glx levels in PMDD. PMDD women have decreased GABA+ levels in ACC/mPFC and ltBG. PMDD women have increased Glx levels in ACC/mPFC. Dysregulation of GABAergic/glutamatergic system may be important in PMDD.