Understanding how oxytocin in pregnancy affects postpartum mood and anxiety
Official title: Disentangling the complex role of endogenous and exogenous oxytocin (Pitocin) in postpartum depression and anxiety
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11344749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how natural and synthetic oxytocin around birth may influence a mother’s risk for postpartum depression and anxiety, with the goal of spotting biomarkers early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $861,666 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH144302-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11344749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals planning delivery who may require Pitocin and are at risk for postpartum mood changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not planning delivery with Pitocin exposure or without risk factors for mood disorders may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Postpartum depression and anxiety affect many new mothers and can impact both mom and baby. The study will examine endogenous oxytocin levels during pregnancy and the effects of Pitocin used during labor on mood outcomes after delivery. By linking blood oxytocin measures and Pitocin exposure with mood symptoms, researchers hope to identify biomarkers that signal risk and inform prevention strategies. The work will use CSF samples collected during standard anesthesia procedures alongside blood tests to explore how central and peripheral oxytocin relate in this context. The project aims to translate these findings into targeted interventions to protect maternal mental health after birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to biomarkers and personalized prevention or treatment plans to reduce postpartum mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked low endogenous oxytocin to mood disorders, but this study uniquely combines endogenous and exogenous oxytocin data.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez Rodriguez, Maria de Las Mercedes — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Perez Rodriguez, Maria de Las Mercedes
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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.