title: Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor differences between the luteal and follicular phases in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that comparison of the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and women without PMDD in the luteal and follicular phases of their menstrual cycles would reflect the altered neuromodulator responses that compensate the underlying pathogenesis in PMDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine participants without PMDD and 20 with PMDD were enrolled in the study. The serum BDNF, estrogen and progesterone levels were assessed at the follicular and luteal phases in their two consecutive menstrual cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants with PMDD had significantly higher luteal serum BDNF levels than the control subjects. The serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase in women with PMDD. The difference in the serum BDNF levels between the luteal and follicular phases were significantly higher in the PMDD patients than in the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The higher serum BDNF levels in the luteal phase in the PMDD patients may reflect compensatory process that results in subsequent improvement of the PMDD-associated depressive symptoms in the follicular phase. The higher difference in the serum BDNF levels between the phases in PMDD patients may reflect an altered neuromodulator response.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address: oralelif@yahoo.com.
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Oral
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Tulay Sati
authors: TS
authors: Kirkan
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Abdulkadir
authors: A
authors: Yildirim
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacy Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Zerrin
authors: Z
authors: Kotan
authors: Department of Medical Education, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Zeliha
authors: Z
authors: Cansever
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Halil
authors: H
authors: Ozcan
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Elvin
authors: E
authors: Aliyev
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Katip Celebi University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Gulec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood*; D065446:Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Follicular; Luteal; Premenstrual dysphoric disorder