{"entity": "journal", "iuid": "4344880ec7254c5d9b97ede54344214e", "timestamp": "2026-04-13T04:40:23.154Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Front%20Neuroendocrinol.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/journal/Front%20Neuroendocrinol"}}, "title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "issn-l": "0091-3022", "publications_count": 6, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "8b37fc4061934164a19806dd144bbec8", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8b37fc4061934164a19806dd144bbec8.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8b37fc4061934164a19806dd144bbec8"}}, "title": "Progestagens and progesterone receptor modulation: Effects on the brain, mood, stress, and cognition in females.", "authors": [{"family": "Bencker", "given": "Celine", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Gschwandtner", "given": "Laura", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Nayman", "given": "Sibel", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Grik\u0161ien\u0117", "given": "Ramun\u0117", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Nguyen", "given": "Billie", "initials": "B"}, {"family": "Nater", "given": "Urs M", "initials": "UM"}, {"family": "Guennoun", "given": "Rachida", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Pletzer", "given": "Belinda", "initials": "B"}, {"family": "Bixo", "given": "Marie", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0002-4988-1967", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/e4914c0fd58a40f2b9332be301cb2e3f.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-01-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "pages": "101160", "volume": "76", "issn-l": "0091-3022"}, "abstract": "Progesterone is a highly lipophilic gonadal hormone that can influence behavior and mental health through its receptors in the brain. Fluctuations in progesterone levels across critical periods of a females life are associated with increased susceptibility to mental conditions. This review highlights the effects of progestagens, including progesterone and synthetic progestins, on the brain, mood, stress, and cognition in females. The primary focus is on experimental pharmacological research that teases out the distinct effects of progestagens from those of estrogens. Additionally, the key literature on puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, hormonal contraceptives, and menopausal hormone therapy is reviewed, although conclusions are limited by the nested effects of progestagens and estrogens. Single study-findings suggest an influence of progesterone on amygdala reactivity related to processing of emotional stimuli and memory. In patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, progesterone receptor modulation improves premenstrual mood symptoms and potentially enhances fronto-cingulate control over emotion processing. The interaction between progestagens and the systems involved in the regulation of stress seems to influence subjective experiences of mood and stress. Sparse studies investigating the effects of progestin-only contraceptives suggest effects of progestagens on the brain, mood, and stress. Progesterone and progestins used for contraception can influence neural processes as myelination and neuroprotection, exerting protective effects against stroke. Concerning menopausal hormonal therapy, the effects of progestins are largely unknown. Levels of progesterone as well as type, administration route, timing, dose regimen, metabolism, and intracellular activity of progestins in hormonal contraceptives and menopausal hormonal therapy are factors whose effects remain to be elucidated. Altogether, current knowledge highlights the potential role of progestagens in females health but also calls for well-designed pharmaco-behavioral studies disentangling the effects of progestagens from those of estrogens.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101160", "pmid": "39515587", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(24)00040-2"}], "notes": [], "created": "2024-11-14T10:39:41.020Z", "modified": "2025-07-24T19:48:37.119Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "e5fc18c507824af9bf44c3e06919a17c", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/e5fc18c507824af9bf44c3e06919a17c.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/e5fc18c507824af9bf44c3e06919a17c"}}, "title": "Electroencephalography findings in menstrually-related mood disorders: A critical review.", "authors": [{"family": "Kaltsouni", "given": "Elisavet", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Schmidt", "given": "Felix", "initials": "F"}, {"family": "Zsido", "given": "Rachel G", "initials": "RG"}, {"family": "Eriksson", "given": "Allison", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Sacher", "given": "Julia", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Sumner", "given": "Rachael L", "initials": "RL"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2024-01-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "volume": "72", "pages": "101120", "issn-l": "0091-3022"}, "abstract": "The female reproductive years are characterized by fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle, which have the potential to modulate neurophysiological and behavioral dynamics. Menstrually-related mood disorders (MRMDs) comprise cognitive-affective or somatic symptoms that are thought to be triggered by the rapid fluctuations in ovarian hormones in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. MRMDs include premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of other psychiatric disorders. Electroencephalography (EEG) non-invasively records in vivo synchronous activity from populations of neurons with high temporal resolution. The present overview sought to systematically review the current state of task-related and resting-state EEG investigations on MRMDs. Preliminary evidence indicates lower alpha asymmetry at rest being associated with MRMDs, while one study points to the effect being luteal-phase specific. Moreover, higher luteal spontaneous frontal brain activity (slow/fast wave ratio as measured by the delta/beta power ratio) has been observed in persons with MRMDs, while sleep architecture results point to potential circadian rhythm disturbances. In this review, we discuss the quality of study designs as well as future perspectives and challenges of supplementing the diagnostic and scientific toolbox for MRMDs with EEG.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101120", "pmid": "38176542", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(23)00068-7"}], "notes": [], "created": "2024-10-24T08:50:51.977Z", "modified": "2025-04-08T06:14:46.246Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "32ede76f5af94a5a9b4bdcb265592080", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/32ede76f5af94a5a9b4bdcb265592080.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/32ede76f5af94a5a9b4bdcb265592080"}}, "title": "Association of levonorgestrel intrauterine devices with stress reactivity, mental health, quality of life and sexual functioning: A systematic review.", "authors": [{"family": "B\u00fcrger", "given": "Zo\u00e9", "initials": "Z"}, {"family": "Bucher", "given": "Anna Magdalena", "initials": "AM"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Henes", "given": "Melanie", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "H\u00fcbner", "given": "Stephanie", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Kogler", "given": "Lydia", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Derntl", "given": "Birgit", "initials": "B"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2021-10-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "volume": "63", "pages": "100943", "issn-l": "0091-3022"}, "abstract": "Levonorgestrel-intrauterine-devices (LNG-IUD) are one of the most used contraceptive methods worldwide. While several reviews exist on how LNG-IUDs impact physiology and gynaecological functions, this systematic review focuses on stress, mental health, quality of life, sexual functioning, and effects on brain architecture. While data on stress is scarce, results on mental health are ambiguous. More consistently, LNG-IUD use seems to improve quality of life and sexual functioning. No studies highlighting the consequences of LNG-IUD use on the brain were found. The reviewed studies are characterized by a substantial variation in approaches, participant groups, and study quality. More high-quality research assessing the effects of LNG-IUD on mental health, including response to stressors and brain function and structure, is needed to identify women vulnerable to adverse effects of LNG-IUD, also in comparison to oral contraceptives, and to empower women to make more informed choices concerning hormonal contraception.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100943", "pmid": "34425187", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(21)00045-5"}], "notes": [], "created": "2021-11-22T08:43:07.221Z", "modified": "2024-10-24T08:55:11.119Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "f25e8dc7c1604e0a93976e3e0bd42469", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/f25e8dc7c1604e0a93976e3e0bd42469.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/f25e8dc7c1604e0a93976e3e0bd42469"}}, "title": "Neuroimaging the menstrual cycle: A multimodal systematic review.", "authors": [{"family": "Dubol", "given": "Manon", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Epperson", "given": "C Neill", "initials": "CN"}, {"family": "Sacher", "given": "Julia", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Pletzer", "given": "Belinda", "initials": "B"}, {"family": "Derntl", "given": "Birgit", "initials": "B", "orcid": "0000-0003-0133-4486", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5665196138234baaa2a6144a6098a3fa.json"}}, {"family": "Lanzenberger", "given": "Rupert", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2021-01-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "issn-l": "0091-3022", "volume": "60", "issue": null, "pages": "100878"}, "abstract": "Increasing evidence indicates that ovarian hormones affect brain structure, chemistry and function of women in their reproductive age, potentially shaping their behavior and mental health. Throughout the reproductive years, estrogens and progesterone levels fluctuate across the menstrual cycle and can modulate neural circuits involved in affective and cognitive processes. Here, we review seventy-seven neuroimaging studies and provide a comprehensive and data-driven evaluation of the accumulating evidence on brain plasticity associated with endogenous ovarian hormone fluctuations in naturally cycling women (n = 1304). The results particularly suggest modulatory effects of ovarian hormones fluctuations on the reactivity and structure of cortico-limbic brain regions. These findings highlight the importance of performing multimodal neuroimaging studies on neural correlates of systematic ovarian hormone fluctuations in naturally cycling women based on careful menstrual cycle staging.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100878", "pmid": "33098847", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(20)30069-8"}], "notes": [], "created": "2020-11-20T09:21:40.958Z", "modified": "2024-10-24T08:55:29.197Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "8a0efcb0d24d45c19a807fcb95897eb8", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8a0efcb0d24d45c19a807fcb95897eb8.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8a0efcb0d24d45c19a807fcb95897eb8"}}, "title": "Progesterone - Friend or foe?", "authors": [{"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}, {"family": "Sumner", "given": "Rachael", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Luders", "given": "Eileen", "initials": "E"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-10-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "issn-l": "0091-3022", "volume": "59", "issue": null, "pages": "100856"}, "abstract": "Estradiol is the \"prototypic\" sex hormone of women. Yet, women have another sex hormone, which is often disregarded: Progesterone. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive review on progesterone, and its metabolite allopregnanolone, emphasizing three key areas: biological properties, main functions, and effects on mood in women. Recent years of intensive research on progesterone and allopregnanolone have paved the way for new treatment of postpartum depression. However, treatment for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder as well as contraception that women can use without risking mental health problems are still needed. As far as progesterone is concerned, we might be dealing with a two-edged sword: while its metabolite allopregnanolone has been proven useful for treatment of PPD, it may trigger negative symptoms in women with PMS and PMDD. Overall, our current knowledge on the beneficial and harmful effects of progesterone is limited and further research is imperative.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100856", "pmid": "32730861", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(20)30047-9"}], "notes": [], "created": "2020-11-20T09:21:43.333Z", "modified": "2024-10-24T08:55:31.342Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "247fe990fbe54c0aabbd2fa192d04a3a", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/247fe990fbe54c0aabbd2fa192d04a3a.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/247fe990fbe54c0aabbd2fa192d04a3a"}}, "title": "Neuroimaging premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A systematic and critical review.", "authors": [{"family": "Dubol", "given": "Manon", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Epperson", "given": "C Neill", "initials": "CN"}, {"family": "Lanzenberger", "given": "Rupert", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2491-2042", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/32a89a8ec1084ec3b4f523622f7f2fbb.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-04-00", "journal": {"title": "Front Neuroendocrinol", "issn": "1095-6808", "issn-l": "0091-3022", "volume": "57", "issue": null, "pages": "100838"}, "abstract": "Endocrine organizational and activational influences on cognitive and affective circuits are likely critical to the development of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a sex-specific hormone-dependent mood disorder. An overview of the anatomical and functional neural characterization of this disorder is presented here by means of neuroimaging correlates, identified from eighteen publications (n = 361 subjects). While white matter integrity remains uninvestigated, greater cerebellar grey matter volume and metabolism were observed in patients with PMDD, along with altered serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. Differential corticolimbic activation in response to emotional stimuli distinguishes the PMDD brain, namely enhanced amygdalar and diminished fronto-cortical function. Thus far, the emotional distress and dysregulation linked to PMDD seem to be defined by structural, chemical and functional brain signatures; however, their characterization remains sparsely studied and somewhat inconsistent. Clear and well-replicated neurobiological features of PMDD are needed to promote timely diagnoses and inform development of prevention and treatment strategies.", "doi": "10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100838", "pmid": "32268180", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0091-3022(20)30029-7"}], "notes": [], "created": "2020-11-20T09:21:45.735Z", "modified": "2024-10-24T08:55:33.422Z"}], "created": "2020-11-20T09:21:40.963Z", "modified": "2020-11-27T13:12:52.347Z"}