Triple Network Neuroplasticity and Perinatal Mood Symptoms from Preconception to Postpartum: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are linked to alterations in brain networks.
• The Fronto-Parietal Network (FPN), Default-Mode Network (DMN), and Salience Network (SN) are implicated, but their perinatal role is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) within and between key brain networks from preconception to postpartum.
• To explore the relationship between these connectivity changes and perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Prospective pilot study of 22 women from preconception to postpartum.
• fMRI scans and anxiety/depression questionnaires administered at both time points.
• Analysis of rsFC within and between FPN, DMN, and SN.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in within-network connectivity for FPN, DMN, or SN.
• Increased rsFC from left anterior prefrontal cortex to DMN and decreased rsFC from right ventral posterior cingulate cortex to FPN.
• Increased rsFC in bilateral supplementary motor areas (SMAs) to FPN, negatively correlated with pregnancy anxiety and positively with postpartum depression.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal rsFC changes observed in cognitive and motor regions connected to DMN and FPN.
• Changes in SMA connectivity to FPN correlate with perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms.
• Suggests a potential role for SMA-FPN connectivity in the pathophysiology of PMAD.