Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an often underdiagnosed and undertreated mood disorder, with negative impact on the mother’s
and infant’s health. Seasonal variation has been discussed as a risk factor for PPD. Candidate genes, such as those encoding
for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and Period2 (PER2), have been associated with depression and seasonal disorders. The present study is aimed to examine whether functional polymorphic
variants, BDNF Val66Met, 5-HTTLPR, or PER2 SNP 10870, are associated with PPD symptoms and whether these genetic polymorphisms interact with season in predicting PPD
symptoms. This case–control study comprised of 275 women from a population-based cohort of delivering women in Sweden, who
completed a questionnaire containing the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Stressful
life events (SLEs) and maternity stressors were also assessed. The results did not reveal any statistically significant overall
association between the studied genetic polymorphisms and PPD symptoms. However, a significant association between BDNF Met66 carrier status and development of PPD symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum, even when controlling for prepartum and postpartum
environmental risk factors, was evident among mothers delivering during autumn/winter. No gene–gene interactions were found
but a cumulative effect was detected with carriers of a greater number of 5-HTTLPR S and BDNFVal66Met Met alleles reporting
higher EPDS scores, if delivered during autumn/winter. Our findings propose a role of the BDNF gene in the development of
PPD symptoms, potentially mediated by season of delivery.
and infant’s health. Seasonal variation has been discussed as a risk factor for PPD. Candidate genes, such as those encoding
for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and Period2 (PER2), have been associated with depression and seasonal disorders. The present study is aimed to examine whether functional polymorphic
variants, BDNF Val66Met, 5-HTTLPR, or PER2 SNP 10870, are associated with PPD symptoms and whether these genetic polymorphisms interact with season in predicting PPD
symptoms. This case–control study comprised of 275 women from a population-based cohort of delivering women in Sweden, who
completed a questionnaire containing the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Stressful
life events (SLEs) and maternity stressors were also assessed. The results did not reveal any statistically significant overall
association between the studied genetic polymorphisms and PPD symptoms. However, a significant association between BDNF Met66 carrier status and development of PPD symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum, even when controlling for prepartum and postpartum
environmental risk factors, was evident among mothers delivering during autumn/winter. No gene–gene interactions were found
but a cumulative effect was detected with carriers of a greater number of 5-HTTLPR S and BDNFVal66Met Met alleles reporting
higher EPDS scores, if delivered during autumn/winter. Our findings propose a role of the BDNF gene in the development of
PPD symptoms, potentially mediated by season of delivery.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-011-0239-x
- Authors
- Erika Comasco, Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, BMC, POB 593, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Sara M. Sylvén, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Fotios C. Papadopoulos, Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Psychiatry, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Lars Oreland, Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, BMC, POB 593, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Inger Sundström-Poromaa, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Alkistis Skalkidou, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816