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The role of epigenetics in perinatal depression: Are there any candidate biomarkers?

Greta Silvia Carnevali1, Massimiliano Buoli2

  • 1Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|November 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal depression (PD) affects 12% of women and may involve epigenetic changes in systems like the HPA axis. Further research with larger samples is needed to confirm these preliminary findings for biomarker development.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive health
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Perinatal depression (PD) affects approximately 12% of women.
  • PD is linked to adverse outcomes like low birth weight and increased risk of maternal suicide.
  • Identifying biomarkers for PD is crucial for early detection and treatment development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review potential epigenetic biomarkers associated with Perinatal Depression (PD).

Main Methods:

  • A bibliographic search was conducted on PubMed.
  • Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.

Main Results:

  • Women with PD show epigenetic alterations compared to healthy controls.
  • Alterations are noted in the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, oxytocin system, inflammatory response, neuronal differentiation, and circadian rhythms.
  • Preliminary data suggest PD may involve specific epigenetic changes.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic changes in various biological systems may contribute to the etiology of PD.
  • Current data are preliminary and require larger sample sizes for confirmation.
  • Future research with larger cohorts is necessary to validate findings and hypotheses.
Abstract

Keywords:
BiomarkersPerinatal Depression (PD)epigeneticsoxytocin system

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