Many new mothers experience a brief period of the “postpartum blues”. This is considered normal for healthy women and usually
ends one week after birth. However, 13 per cent of mothers develop a clinically serious postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
*Feelings of sadness or bouts of crying *Feelings of hopelessness *Feelings of worthlessness *Loss of energy *Difficulty concentrating *Feeling unable to cope
Brain imaging research offers new treatment directions Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, an international expert in brain imaging and clinical depression and Head of the Neurochemical Imaging
Program in MoodDisorders at CAMH, is leading an imaging study of a protein in the brain called MAO-A. MAO-A breaks down chemicals like serotonin,that
support a positive mood. Too much MAO-A in the brain leads to sad mood and sometimes to clinical depression. Dr. Meyer believes
that too much MAO-A contributes to postpartum blues and postpartum depression. If indeed there is more MAO-A during postpartum
blues and postpartum depression, a new opportunity to successfully treat postpartum depression – or even prevent an episode
before it occurs – might be revealed.
If you are planning a pregnancy, or currently expecting and interested in participating in research on postpartum depression, please phone 416 535 8501 x1750
Centre for Addiction
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
Disorders at CAMH, is leading an imaging study of a protein in the brain called MAO-A. MAO-A breaks down chemicals like serotonin,that
support a positive mood. Too much MAO-A in the brain leads to sad mood and sometimes to clinical depression. Dr. Meyer believes
that too much MAO-A contributes to postpartum blues and postpartum depression. If indeed there is more MAO-A during postpartum
blues and postpartum depression, a new opportunity to successfully treat postpartum depression – or even prevent an episode
before it occurs – might be revealed.
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