Postpartum depression (PPD) is a very common, butpoorly understood, disorder that negatively affects a tremendous number ofwomen and their infants. Indeed, more than 15% of the millions of recentlyparturient women worldwide suffer from depression, which can detrimentallyaffect the mother, child, and family.
Study Aim
To investigate how pregnancy stress affects thematernal serotonergic system, postpartum behavior, and gut microbiota, andwhether probiotic can prevent related deficits in maternal care and mood.
Scientific Approach
Using a rodent model of postpartum depression, this studywill examine serotonin-related markers in key brain regions and analyse gutmicrobiota in mothers and pups. Probiotic treatment will be tested for itseffects on brain chemistry, depressive behaviors, and maternal caregiving.
Expected Outcomes
This study’s results will provide valuableinformation on the involvement of maternal gut-brain axis in pregnancy stressand PPD, and will pave the way for probiotic solutions supporting maternalpostpartum depression.
