Sex hormone-sensitive gene complex linked to premenstrual mood disorder

NIH: National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers have discovered molecular mechanisms that may underlie a woman’s susceptibility to disabling irritability, sadness, and anxiety in the days leading up to her menstrual period. Such premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 2 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age, whereas less severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is much more common. “We found dysregulated expression in a suspect gene complex which adds to evidence that PMDD is a disorder of cellular response to estrogen and progesterone,” explained Peter Schmidt, M.D. of the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health, Behavioral Endocrinology Branch. “Learning more about the role of this gene complex holds hope for improved treatment of such prevalent reproductive endocrine-related mood disorders.”

Research solves mystery of memory and mood

Queensland: Scientists are one step closer to understanding how the brain regulates memory and mood, thanks to the discovery of two distinct types of stem cells. University of Queensland researchers have identified two types of stem cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain crucial for learning and memory. Dr Dhanisha Jhaveri, the study’s lead author, said Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) researchers had isolated pure populations of these cells for the first time. The discovery may have implications for the treatment of learning- and mood-related disorders.