It's not bad enough that there may be depression during pregnancy as now it's compounded by the potential negative effect on the baby. Eureka, now there's a way to feel guilty about pregnancy and be scientifically justified in thinking it. Glory. (Science Daily: Depression during pregnancy is associated with abnormal brain structure in children)
I'm sorry the science I've been finding lately hasn't exactly led to the big laffs and hi jinks segment of the show but the research may be worth some thought because preservation of the mental health of the mother may come in multiple ways. If one of them is a drug then straightaway we have a problem when the fetus gets that drug too.
Depressive symptoms in women during and after pregnancy are associated with reduced thickness of the cortex -- the outer layer of the brain responsible for complex thought and behavior -- in preschool-age kids, according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry. The findings suggest that a mother's mood may affect her child's brain development at critical stages in life.
"Mothers generally want to do everything they can to give their offspring the best possible chance of success in life. They often make sure to eat well and to take special vitamins," said John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. "This new study now suggests that another thing they may be able to do is to make sure that they are treated for their depression."
Although the mechanism behind the association remains a mystery, the findings may have implications for minimizing risks of atypical brain development in children.
"Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring and supporting mental health in mothers not just in the postpartum period, but also during pregnancy," said Lebel.
I'm sorry the science I've been finding lately hasn't exactly led to the big laffs and hi jinks segment of the show but the research may be worth some thought because preservation of the mental health of the mother may come in multiple ways. If one of them is a drug then straightaway we have a problem when the fetus gets that drug too.
Depressive symptoms in women during and after pregnancy are associated with reduced thickness of the cortex -- the outer layer of the brain responsible for complex thought and behavior -- in preschool-age kids, according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry. The findings suggest that a mother's mood may affect her child's brain development at critical stages in life.
"Mothers generally want to do everything they can to give their offspring the best possible chance of success in life. They often make sure to eat well and to take special vitamins," said John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. "This new study now suggests that another thing they may be able to do is to make sure that they are treated for their depression."
- Science Daily
If your first question is 'what treatment' then welcome aboard.
The article continues with discussion of the process of the research and follow the link for that detail.
Abnormalities in brain structure during critical periods in development have often been associated with negative outcomes, such as learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Additionally, the brain structure abnormalities identified in this study reflect those found in children with depression or at high risk for developing the disorder, suggesting that these alterations may be why children of mothers with perinatal depression are more vulnerable to depression later in life.
Although the mechanism behind the association remains a mystery, the findings may have implications for minimizing risks of atypical brain development in children.
"Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring and supporting mental health in mothers not just in the postpartum period, but also during pregnancy," said Lebel.
- Science Daily
The article makes no suggestion of what form the mental health support should take, whether there are any limits to how far it should go, etc. It's your call where this goes but we observe an actual physical consequence to the baby from depression in the mother so now what do we do.
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