BACKGROUND: Neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone and pregnanolone are suggested to be of importance for the pathophysiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the luteal-phase serum concentrations of these neurosteroids are associated with improvement of premenstrual symptoms in 12 women with severe premenstrual syndrome after treatment with low-dosegonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and placebo. METHODS:Daily ratings for mood and physical symptoms were made prior to treatment and throughout the study. Serum progesterone, allopregnanolone and pregnanolone were assessed in the luteal phase (cycle day -9 to cycle day -1). Based on their symptom ratings, subjects were grouped as either buserelin responders (n = 6) or placebo responders (n = 6). RESULTS:Buserelin responders displayed decreased levels of allopregnanolone (p < 0.05) and progesterone (p < 0.05) in parallel with improvement of symptoms. During the placebo treatment, the placebo responders had lower serum allopregnanolone concentrations than buserelin responders (p < 0.05). This was associated with improvement in symptoms compared with pre-treatment ratings. CONCLUSION: Treatment response, whether induced by buserelin or placebo, appears to be associated with a decrease in allopregnanolone concentration.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone and pregnanolone are suggested to be of importance for the pathophysiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the luteal-phase serum concentrations of these neurosteroids are associated with improvement of premenstrual symptoms in 12 women with severe premenstrual syndrome after treatment with low-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and placebo. METHODS: Daily ratings for mood and physical symptoms were made prior to treatment and throughout the study. Serum progesterone, allopregnanolone and pregnanolone were assessed in the luteal phase (cycle day -9 to cycle day -1). Based on their symptom ratings, subjects were grouped as either buserelin responders (n = 6) or placebo responders (n = 6). RESULTS: Buserelin responders displayed decreased levels of allopregnanolone (p < 0.05) and progesterone (p < 0.05) in parallel with improvement of symptoms. During the placebo treatment, the placebo responders had lower serum allopregnanolone concentrations than buserelin responders (p < 0.05). This was associated with improvement in symptoms compared with pre-treatment ratings. CONCLUSION: Treatment response, whether induced by buserelin or placebo, appears to be associated with a decrease in allopregnanolone concentration.
Authors: B Predieri; S Luisi; E Casarosa; E Farinelli; F Antoniazzi; M Wasniewska; S Bernasconi; F Petraglia; L Iughetti Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2010-06-04 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: Alicia M Allen; Mustafa al'Absi; Harry Lando; Dorothy Hatsukami; Sharon S Allen Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2013-09-23 Impact factor: 3.157