Response to flumazenil in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine whether the administration of flumazenil would induce marked panic symptoms in women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder. METHOD: Ten women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and 11 comparison subjects were injected with flumazenil or placebo in a double-blind, randomized, balanced crossover design in a single session in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycles. RESULTS: Flumazenil induced a much greater panic response in the women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder than in the comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results are consistent with a dysregulation of the g-aminobutyric acid A/benzodiazepine receptor complex during the premenstruum of women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder.