Project Summary

Deana B. Davalos, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, hopes to study the impact of antidepressant use by depressed pregnant women on the neurological development of their infants. Pre-partum maternal depression can be a devastating condition, which is often accompanied by difficult decisions about pharmacological intervention and the possible consequences for mother and baby. Despite research suggesting almost one in 10 pregnant women may be clinically depressed, pre-partum maternal depression has been understudied and the impact on the developing fetus, poorly understood. Some research suggests infants of mothers with pre-partum depression may have physiological deficits. However, research has not been conducted to assess whether antidepressant use may ameliorate these deficits or lead to problems. Preliminary data by Dr. Davalos suggest prenatal antidepressant use may improve infant performance on at least one physiological index associated with the development of higher order cognition. In this project, Dr. Davalos aims to study the early effects of maternal depression and medication on synaptic brain function in infants using neurophysiological measures. Evaluating neurodevelopment in these newborns may shed light on the effects of pre-partum depression on infants and provide guidance about the treatment of depression as part of prenatal care.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar/Bipolar\Pregnancy

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