Understanding how brain function affects postpartum depression risk
Official title: Trajectories of Positive Valence Systems Function and Postpartum Depression Risk
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-10984981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in brain activity related to motivation and reward might help us understand the risk of postpartum depression in new moms, so we can better support their mental health during and after pregnancy.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $616,165 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131950-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984981 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in their second trimester who are at risk for developing postpartum depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have a history of severe mental health disorders unrelated to postpartum depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between brain function and the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) in new mothers. It focuses on how changes in positive valence systems, which are linked to motivation and reward, can predict depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy. By using advanced brain imaging techniques and real-time assessments of mood, the study aims to track these changes over time. This approach will help identify key risk factors for PPD and improve understanding of how psychosocial stressors impact mental health during the peripartum period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and prevention strategies for postpartum depression, ultimately improving outcomes for mothers and their infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain function in mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into postpartum depression.
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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-
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-
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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.
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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.