An in-depth study conducted by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine has shed light on the biological mechanisms underlying pregnancy-related mental health disorders. This research aims to pave the way for improved detection and treatment of pregnant women and new mothers who are at risk of developing these conditions.
Despite the fact that only around 3% of women with postpartum depression receive successful treatment, this number increases to about 5% for those who experience depression before giving birth. Dr. Lauren M. Osborne, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine, highlighted the inadequacy of detecting and treating pregnancy-related depression in the United States. In an effort to address this issue, she and her team have initiated a perinatal wellness program that integrates experts in pregnancy and postpartum mental health into obstetric care.
Left untreated, anxiety and depression can have significant negative impacts on a child’s development and behavior over time, as well as increase the risk of substance abuse and suicide among mothers. The challenges in successfully treating these conditions stem from difficulties in predicting who is at heightened risk. While certain psychological and social factors have been identified as increasing the risk of pregnancy-related mental health disorders, there is still limited understanding of the biological dimensions of these conditions.
Dr. Jonathan Power, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, is investigating changes in brain activity among women during pregnancy and into motherhood to uncover the factors that make women vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders. He and Dr. Osborne are particularly interested in exploring changes in the immune system and fluctuations in hormones, which are believed to play a role in these conditions.
Osborne’s research has revealed that abnormal immunological activity during pregnancy is linked to anxiety and depression. Additionally, her team identified shifts in intercellular communication packages released by immune cells, which could serve as a warning sign for postpartum depression. By analyzing blood samples from pregnant women, they found that changes in the presence of a certain type of RNA package from immune cells were associated with an increased risk of developing postpartum depression.
Furthermore, Power is investigating the effects of hormone fluctuations on the brain, particularly the rise and fall of estrogen, progesterone, and allopregnanolone levels during pregnancy and delivery. By tracking changes in hormone levels, mood, and brain activity through MRI scans, Power aims to identify predictive factors for mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy.
While the development of targeted medications for pregnancy-related conditions is still in its early stages, ongoing research by Osborne and Power holds promise for advancing the detection and treatment of pregnancy-related mental health disorders. Through collaboration with external organizations and ongoing disclosures of their research, Weill Cornell Medicine remains committed to scientific innovation and transparency in the field of mental health research.