[Immune-inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms in postpartum depression]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental disorder often linked to prior psychiatric conditions.
• The pathophysiology of PPD remains insufficiently understood, particularly concerning its onset during a critical life period for women.
• Existing research highlights potential links between depressive disorders and activated neuro-immune, neuro-oxidative, and neuro-nitrosative stress pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review available data on the involvement of immunological and autoimmune mechanisms in the onset of postpartum depression.
• To explore the potential role of the inflammatory response system (IRS) and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis in PPD.
• To investigate the association between PPD and autoimmune diseases.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted using PubMed (Medline) and Google Scholar.
• Included manuscripts were in English and Greek, published between 1990 and 2017.
• Focused on studies examining immune-inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms in PPD.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests depressive disorders involve activated neuro-immune pathways.
• Controversial data exist regarding cytokine dysregulation and inflammatory agents in PPD patients.
• PPD shares characteristics with autoimmune diseases, including genetic susceptibility, family history, and clinical patterns, suggesting a potential autoimmune etiology.

Conclusions:

• Immune-inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms are indicated as crucial for understanding PPD pathophysiology.
• Current clinical studies are insufficient to establish clear causative correlations for underlying mechanisms.
• Future research should focus on immune-inflammatory processes and potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and effective treatment of PPD.