Exploring the connection between mother-infant interactions and postpartum depression
Official title: Mother-Infant Biobehavioral Synchrony and Postpartum Depression
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10954716 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the way mothers and their babies connect after birth affects the baby's emotional growth, especially when the mother is dealing with postpartum depression, and it hopes to find ways to help both moms and their little ones feel better together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $664,117 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH129308-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954716 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include mothers experiencing postpartum depression and their infants aged 0-11 months.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mothers or whose infants are older than 11 months may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the interactions between mothers and their infants during the postpartum period influence the emotional and behavioral development of the child. It focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms behind mother-infant co-regulation and how postpartum depression may disrupt these processes. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify critical factors that contribute to healthy emotional development in infants. The findings could lead to improved interventions for mothers experiencing postpartum depression, ultimately benefiting both mothers and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for postpartum depression, enhancing emotional development in infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding mother-infant interactions and their impact on development, but this study aims to explore novel aspects using advanced neuroimaging techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morgan, Judith K. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Morgan, Judith K.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
Postpartum depression screening at well-child visits in Arkansas
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-
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-
Trajectories of Positive Motivation and Postpartum Depression Risk
This project studies how brain reward function and daily mood patterns before and after birth relate to the risk of postpartum depression, with a focus on mothers and babies.
-
ROSE Scale-Up: Expanding universal postpartum depression prevention for new mothers
A national effort to roll out the ROSE prevention program to all new mothers, to see if universal use can reduce postpartum depression.
-
How Medicaid Postpartum Coverage and PPD Screening Could Improve Diabetes and Blood Pressure Care After Birth
A large NIH grant is studying how extending Medicaid after birth and mandating postpartum depression screening affect care for women with gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.