Examining how infants of depressed mothers respond to emotional faces
Development of Attentional Biases for Affective Cues in Infants of Mothers With Depression
This study looks at how babies of mothers with depression react to different facial expressions to see if they pay more attention to certain emotions compared to babies of mothers without depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 225 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Binghamton University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Binghamton, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06835855 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how infants of mothers with postpartum major depression exhibit attentional biases towards different emotional facial expressions. Infants will participate in a computer-based task while their gaze is tracked, and they will also engage in standardized interaction tasks with their mothers. The study aims to understand the role of infant arousal in developing these biases, comparing infants of depressed mothers to those of non-depressed mothers. The research will involve observing infant behavior in both free play and structured emotional contexts.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include infants of mothers who have experienced at least one episode of major depressive disorder since the birth of their child.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include infants of mothers with no history of depressive disorders or those with significant health complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of the developmental risks faced by infants of depressed mothers, potentially leading to early interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored similar themes regarding maternal depression and infant development, indicating a growing body of evidence in this area.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The high-risk group (n = 150) will consist of women with at least one episode of MDD since their baby's birth. * To qualify for the low-risk group (n = 75), women cannot have a history of any depressive disorder or any current psychiatric diagnoses. * Infants will be required to be singleton children born full-term (\> 37 weeks) and normal weight (\> 2,500 grams) with no birth complications or health problems to avoid medical complications contributing to infants' attention, reactivity, and regulation measures. * The two groups will be matched on demographic factors (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, income). Exclusion Criteria: * Additional exclusion criteria are diagnoses of alcohol or substance use disorders currently or at any point during pregnancy, or lifetime history of bipolar or psychotic disorders.
Where this trial is running
Binghamton, New York
- Binghamton University — Binghamton, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Brandon E Gibb, Ph.D.
- Email: bgibb@binghamton.edu
- Phone: 607-777-2511
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.