Blunted serotonin response to fenfluramine challenge in premenstrual dysphoric disorder

OBJECTIVE: Indirect evidence suggests that abnormalities in serotonergic function may be involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis of serotonergic deficiency in premenstrual dysphoric disorder by measuring the prolactin response to fenfluramine. METHOD: The authors administered the serotonin-releasing drug dl-fenfluramine in a placebo-controlled protocol to nine women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and 11 healthy female volunteers in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Compared to the normal subjects, the women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder had a significantly blunted prolactin response to fenfluramine. CONCLUSIONS: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder appears to be associated with serotonergic deficiency.