title: The role of central serotonergic dysfunction in the aetiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: therapeutic implications.
abstract: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), as defined in DSM-IV, is a mood disorder. One of the leading theories for the pathogenesis of mood disorders is dysfunction of the serotonergic system. An increasing database suggests that serotonergic dysfunction also characterises PMDD. Evidence that treatments which enhance serotonergic function are beneficial in reducing the symptoms of PMDD support this hypothesis. Indeed, most of the evidence from baseline studies suggests predominantly a serotonergic rather than a noradrenergic or dopaminergic dysfunction. Challenge studies further support this hypothesis. These findings of neurotransmitter dysfunction are more consistent than those of other neuroendocrine abnormalities for example. Based on treatment studies, a selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, has been approved for use in PMDD by the US Food and Drug Administration.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0804, USA. bparry@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D008550:Melatonin; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors