Mood disorders during pregnancy affect almost one in five women. Long underestimated or attributed only to hormonal or psychological upheavals, they could actually be linked to very specific modifications of the immune system and the brain. Two recent studies, conducted in the United States, pave the way for a better understanding-and perhaps better screening-of these frequent but still too often overlooked disorders.
Different immune and brain profiles depending on the symptoms
In the first study published by researchers from UC San Francisco, 115 pregnant women were followed to assess their psychic and biological state. Thanks to brain imaging and blood tests, scientists have observed that women suffering from anxious or depressive disorders presented marked differences in their brain activity, but also in their immune profiles.
Concretely, pregnant women displaying symptoms of anxiety or stress showed increased activity in a region of the brain called amygdal – a key area in the treatment of emotions. In those with signs of depression, inflammatory blood markers, including interleukines, were higher. These results suggest that prenatal mood disorders could be linked to specific immune imbalances, and not only to psychological factors.
Towards a blood test to better detect prenatal depression?
The second study, conducted by the University of North Carolina, strengthens this biological track. The researchers analyzed the genetic and immune profiles of more than 100 pregnant women and identified a subgroup with particular inflammatory markers. These women, mainly from ethnic minorities and exposed to high social stress, displayed high levels of interferons and other pro-inflammatory molecules, often associated with depressive states.
This type of inflammatory response had already been observed in cases of treatment resistant to treatments in adults. Its highlighting during pregnancy could make it possible to develop more reliable screening tools, such as blood tests, to better identify women at risk.
These two studies highlight the central role of the immune system in the mental health of pregnant women. If additional research is still necessary, these discoveries could change the situation in the way of assessing and treating prenatal depression and anxiety. Better understanding the underlying biological mechanisms opens the way to more targeted and adapted care approaches, finally offering future mothers the support they deserve.
An earlier screening of postpartum depression thanks to AI
Mass researchers General Brigham have developed an automatic learning model capable of assessing the risk of postpartum depression (DPP) from clinical and demographic data available in the medical record at the time of delivery. This model, drawn on data of more than 29,000 patients, has shown a good capacity to identify women at risk, even without psychiatric history. It turned out to be able to exclude DPP in 90 % of cases and identify at risk around 30 % of patients who have effectively developed a DPP. The model works fairly between the different age groups and origin. Its integration into clinical practice could allow earlier screening and better support for postpartum women.