# Personality and cortical architecture in premenstrual dysphoric disorder

## TL;DR

The study found that PMDD is linked to higher neuroticism and aggressiveness, which may affect brain structure and symptom severity.

## Contribution

The study explores how personality traits relate to brain structure and symptoms in PMDD, a novel approach to understanding the disorder.

## Key findings

- PMDD is associated with higher neuroticism and aggressiveness scores.
- Aggressiveness correlates with irritability/anger severity and lower parahippocampal gyrus complexity.
- Personality traits may help identify PMDD risk factors and guide treatment.

## Abstract

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has been associated with altered grey matter architecture in a trait-like manner. Personality traits, shaped largely by genetics and linked to depressive disorders, may relate to structural properties of the brain and could represent a potential factor mediating vulnerability for PMDD. However, these possible associations remain largely unexplored.

The present study assessed personality traits in participants with PMDD and healthy controls, as well as how personality is related to symptom severity and cortical surface measures in PMDD. Healthy controls and patients completed the Swedish Universities Scale of Personality. Following prospective validation of the PMDD diagnosis, patients had their brain scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the symptomatic luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Personality of controls and patients was compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. Associations of personality with symptom severity and brain surface parameters were tested through correlation analysis.

PMDD was associated with higher scores in neuroticism and aggressiveness. Aggressiveness was positively correlated with the severity of irritability/anger, though not significant after correcting for multiple testing. Regarding cortical structural measures, aggressiveness was negatively correlated with cortical complexity of the parahippocampal gyrus.

Considering neuroticism and aggressiveness during screening for PMDD could contribute to the identification of risk factors and personalized treatment of females suffering from PMDD.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00737-026-01677-3.

PMDD was associated with higher scores in neuroticism and aggressiveness. Aggressiveness positively correlated with irritability/anger. Aggressiveness negatively associated with parahippocampal gyrus complexity. Considering neuroticism and aggressiveness when assessing PMDD.

PMDD was associated with higher scores in neuroticism and aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness positively correlated with irritability/anger.

Aggressiveness negatively associated with parahippocampal gyrus complexity.

Considering neuroticism and aggressiveness when assessing PMDD.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00737-026-01677-3.