Genetic finding in severe PMS reported

The first significant genetic finding in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD),a severe form premenstrual syndrome is reported by us scientist.The study to be detailed in the Oct. 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

PMDD is an heritable condition that affects between 5 percent and 8 percent of women, and is associated with extremely severe emotional and physical problems.

Previously, researchers have shown women with PMDD are differentially sensitive to their own hormone changes. In the new study Liang Huo and colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health performed genetic testing and analyses on women diagnosed with PMDD and found variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene associated with PMDD.

The researchers said women with such particular genetic variants are more likely to suffer from PMDD. The scientists also discovered such genetic association is seen only in women with a variant form of another gene, catechol methyltransferase, which is involved in regulating the function of the prefrontal cortex, a critical regulator of mood.