BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

New Discovery Could Revolutionize How We Treat Postpartum Depression

Scientists believe they have found the biological cause of postpartum depression.
save article
profile picture of Wyndi Kappes
By Wyndi Kappes, Assistant Editor
Updated October 9, 2022
mother holding newborn baby's head
Image: Sara Nicole Garavuso | Shutterstock

Postpartum depression affects up to 20 percent of all moms, and for many who don’t know how to seek treatment or find available treatments ineffective, this can have a big effect on mom and baby. Mothers with postpartum depression can become depressed, anxious, irritable and struggle to bond with baby. At the same time, studies show that children whose mothers have postpartum depression are more likely to have social, emotional and cognitive development issues.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System believe they may have identified the biological cause behind postpartum depression—an impairment of the body’s ability to clean up old genetic material and other cellular debris.

“The finding that cells aren’t cleaning out old proteins and cellular debris, called autophagy, occurs before women develop depression symptoms, indicating that it could be part of the disease process,” said the study’s author Jennifer L. Payne, MD, in a press release.“There are several medications that promote autophagy in cells, so this finding might open the door to new treatments and to identification of women at risk of postpartum depression before they become ill.”

The study, which was published in the scientific journal Nature Molecular Psychiatry analyzed blood plasma samples collected from 14 mothers, those who suffered from postpartum depression and those who did not, during and after their pregnancies. The researchers found that extracellular RNA communication in immune cells was altered extensively in women who suffered postpartum depression.

This “large and consistent” change significantly limited the women’s bodies’ ability to perform crucial cellular cleanup—or autophagy—suggesting a potential biological cause for their depression.

“Deficits in autophagy are thought to cause toxicity that may lead to the changes in the brain and body associated with depression,” Payne said. “We have never fully understood the biological basis for postpartum depression, and this finding gets us closer to an understanding.”

While more research needs to be done and a larger sample size studied, researchers are optimistic that this is a big step forward.

“I hope very much this finding leads to better treatments for postpartum depression,” Payne said. “Our goal is to one day prevent postpartum depression in women at risk.”

If you are struggling with postpartum depression, know you aren’t alone. Learn how to reach out for help and what resources are available to you here.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

mother holding newborn baby's head
FDA Approves First Pill to Treat Postpartum Depression
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and baby smiling and cuddling
10 Actionable Ways to Boost Your Postpartum Mental Health
By Wyndi Kappes
Kylie Jenner attends the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 12, 2022 in West Hollywood, California
Kylie Jenner Encourages Postpartum Moms to ‘Stay Inside That Moment’
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustrations of disney princesses postpartum
Artist Reimagines Disney Princesses as Relatable Postpartum Parents
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of mother holding baby
How the New National Maternal Mental Health Taskforce Will Help Moms
By Wyndi Kappes
Elyse Myers attends TikTok House Party at VidCon 2022 at a private venue on June 23, 2022 in Anaheim, California
Elyse Myers Shares How Her Postpartum Struggles Led to Her First Video
By Wyndi Kappes
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott are expecting their second baby.
Kylie Jenner's Story Reminds Us All Postpartum Journeys Are Different
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby in hospital bed after giving birth
8 Ways Black Moms Can Lower Their Risk of Postpartum Depression
By Ericka Sóuter
mother lying with newborn baby in bed at home
These States Join a Growing List Offering a Full Year of Postpartum Care
By Wyndi Kappes
baby twins in mother's lap on bed
New Study Identifies Women at Highest Risk of Postpartum Depression
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman doing yoga
Study: Yoga and Mindfulness Can Help Prevent Postpartum Depression
By Nehal Aggarwal
What to Expect Emotionally After Birth
What to Expect Emotionally After Birth
By Yelena Moroz Alpert
writer posing with her newborn and husband
I’m an OB and I Suffered From Postpartum Depression
By Temeka Zore, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
actress reese witherspoon opens up about her struggles with postpartum depression
Reese Witherspoon Opens Up About Struggle With Postpartum Depression
By Nehal Aggarwal
first dad holding his newborn
New York City Will Now Provide Home Visits to First-Time Parents
By Nehal Aggarwal
ashley graham opens up about the struggles of postpartum
Ashley Graham Opens Up About Struggles of Postpartum Recovery
By Nehal Aggarwal
woman suffering from postpartum depression
General Anesthesia May Increase PPD Risk After C-Sections, Study Finds
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Woman with postpartum depression
The Truth About Postpartum Depression
By Kristina Cappetta
intimate photo series capturing postpartum bodies
This Mom’s Photo Series Highlights the Beauty of Postpartum Bodies
By Nehal Aggarwal
Chrissy Teigen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Adele each are celebrities who have dealt with postpartum depression.
10 Celebrity Moms Who Have Opened Up About Postpartum Depression
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.