Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 1 in 8 women and is a primary cause of maternal mortality following childbirth. Until recently there was no treatment specifically for PPD, with standard antidepressants proving ineffective and too slow. NIH-funded basic research into a hormone called allopregnanolone, revealed its role in regulating specific types of neurons in the brain associated with PPD. This research eventually led to the first ever FDA-approved drug for treating PPD, brexanolone. This drug is not only highly effective in comparison to standard antidepressants, but importantly takes effect within hours instead of the multiple weeks associated with standard treatments. Thanks to the basic research identified and supported by the NIH, we now have an effective treatment for PPD.
(CA, IL, WA) [NIH grant R01MH049486, R01MH056890, K07MH001370, 5M01RR000036, P01GM047969, R01MH076994 | link1 | link2 | link3 | link4]