Research from Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has revealed that elevated levels of a brain protein called monoamine oxidase A could explain why postpartum blues are so common for new moms. The study used brain imaging to look at new mothers four to six days after delivery. Researchers found levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) were 43% greater during this time than in women who weren't pregnant. MAO-A levels were highest on the fifth day, usually when postpartum blues are most severe.
MAO-A removes chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, which helps a person maintain a normal mood. Greater MAO-A levels mean a person feels sad "Understanding the biology of postpartum blues is important because when it is severe it leads to clinical level postpartum depression," said researcher Dr. Jeffrey Meyer. The study was released Tuesday.
"We hope this information may be used in the future to create dietary supplements that could provide the nutrients removed by high MAO-A and lower the risk for postpartum depression," Meyer said.
No comments:
Post a Comment