Trajectories of Positive Motivation and Postpartum Depression Risk
Official title: Trajectories of Positive Valence Systems Function and Postpartum Depression Risk
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11458939 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 13, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $728,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131950-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11458939 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals, ideally recruited during pregnancy and followed through the postpartum period, who are willing to undergo brain imaging and daily mood reporting.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who are unable to participate in brain imaging or frequent mood tracking, or who do not become pregnant during the study window, may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Pregnant individuals will be followed through the peripartum period to track how brain reward signals and daily positive emotions change over time. The study uses safe brain-imaging and ongoing mood checks to map trajectories of positive valence system function and compare with negative valence systems. Ecological momentary assessments of positive affect will be collected alongside neural measurements to understand how these processes relate to postpartum depression risk. About 300 pregnant women will be recruited and monitored from late pregnancy into the postpartum period at Vanderbilt University.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform personalized screening and timely interventions to support mothers and infants during the peripartum period.
How similar studies have gone: Existing research supports the link between reward system function and depressive symptoms, but this study advances understanding by tracking trajectories across pregnancy and postpartum with multimethod measures.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kujawa, Autumn J — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Kujawa, Autumn J
Related research
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Virtual group care to prevent postpartum depression in immigrant Latinas
A federally funded program tests a virtual group, based on CBT and attachment theory, to help pregnant women and new mothers from immigrant Latina communities reduce postpartum depression symptoms.
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.