Exploring the connection between mother-infant interactions and postpartum depression

Mother-Infant Biobehavioral Synchrony and Postpartum Depression

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10954716

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10954716 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers experiencing postpartum depression and their infants aged 0-11 months.

Not a fit: Patients who are not mothers or whose infants are older than 11 months may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.