New Study Reveals Genetic Factors Contributing to Postpartum Depression
Researchers from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine have conducted a groundbreaking study on the genetic underpinnings of postpartum depression (PPD). The study, which is the largest-ever meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on PPD, reveals that approximately 14% of PPD’s variation can be attributed to common genetic factors.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, also found that the genetic architecture of PPD closely aligns with other psychiatric and hormonal conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. This suggests that the same genes involved in these conditions may contribute to the development of PPD symptoms.
GABAergic neurons, specifically those in the thalamus and hypothalamus, have been identified as key areas for further research into PPD. These neurons control the release of the neurotransmitter GABA, and previous research has shown that the only FDA-approved treatment for PPD, brexanolone, works through GABAergic neurons. The new findings suggest that brexanolone likely acts on GABAergic neurons in the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Lead author Jerry Guintivano, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at UNC School of Medicine, explains that the study’s findings refine our understanding of the genetic mechanism behind PPD and provide potential targets for future PPD research.
The study used data from 18 cohorts of European ancestry, one cohort of East Asian ancestry, and one cohort of African ancestry, totaling 18,770 PPD cases and 58,461 controls. While this was the largest PPD GWAS to date, the researchers noted that more samples are needed to pinpoint specific locations within the genome associated with PPD risk.
Despite the progress made in this study, the genetics of PPD are still understudied compared to other psychiatric conditions. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH, director of the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders, and Patrick Sullivan, MD, director of the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute, emphasize the need for further research in this area.
The researchers are hopeful that their findings will pave the way for targeted treatments for PPD, as well as a better understanding of the genetic factors contributing to the condition. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Overall, this study sheds new light on the genetic basis of postpartum depression and highlights the need for further research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this condition that affects many new mothers.