title: Working memory deficit in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and its associations with difficulty in concentrating and irritability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates working memory deficit among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and whether such a deficit and its premenstrual aggravation is associated with difficulty in concentrating, irritability, and impaired daily function or not.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women with PMDD (PMDD group) and 60 women without PMDD (control group) completed the assessment. Severity of irritability, difficulty concentrating, total symptoms, and functional impairment of PMDD were evaluated by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool. All participants performed N2 and N3 back tasks to assess working memory in both luteal and follicular phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PMDD group had significantly poorer performance on N2 and N3 back tasks than the control group did in the luteal phase but not in the follicular phase. Compared to the control group, the PMDD group also exhibited more deterioration in performance of N3 back task in the luteal phase. Performance of N2 and N3 back tasks in luteal phase was significantly associated with irritability, symptom severity, and functional impairment by PMDD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Working memory deficit is aggravated in the luteal phase among women with PMDD. Appropriate interventions are needed to prevent negative consequences of working memory deficit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ju-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Shun-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Cheng-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Tze-Chun
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Yen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult