Menstrual cycle-related brain metabolite changes using H-1 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in premenopausal women: a pilot study

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-MRS) was used to assess neuroch emical brain changes across the menstrual cycle in five women with premenst rual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and six control subjects. Women with PMDD an d control subjects were scanned on days 8 and 26 within one menstrual cycle (i.e. at times of complete absence and height of PMDD symptoms, respective ly). The point resolved spectroscopic sequence (PRESS) was used to localize a voxel of 8 ml in the medial frontal gray matter and in the occipito-pari etal white matter. The ratio of N-acetyl-aspartate to creatine in the regio n of the medial prefrontal cortex and the cingulate gyrus declined signific antly from the follicular to the luteal phase in both groups of subjects. T he menstrual phase-dependent significant increase in the ratio of choline t o creatine was observed in the parietal white matter. The myoinositol/creat ine ratio exhibited a trend toward higher levels in the PMDD patients in th e luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Differences between PMDD and control subjects were not statistically significant. Menstrual cycle phase-depende nt changes in ovarian hormonal concentrations may influence the neurochemis try of brain activity in premenopausal women. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ire land Ltd. All rights reserved.