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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil reveals a significant link between gut microbiota composition and depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, the research suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota are associated with the severity of depression during pregnancy and may influence psychiatric treatment outcomes.
The study, led by Ph.D. candidate Amanda Mota, involved 34 Brazilian women in the third trimester of pregnancy. The researchers found that women experiencing more intense depressive symptoms had higher quantities of enterobacteria in their gut. These bacteria, known for their role in infections and inflammation, also modulate key neurotransmitters that influence the central nervous system.
Interestingly, as these women underwent psychiatric treatment and their depressive symptoms improved, their gut microbiota composition also shifted, with an increase in the presence of bifidobacteria. These healthy bacteria are known for their role in digesting fiber, preventing infections, and promoting overall gut health.
Carla Taddei, professor at USP’s Biomedical Sciences Institute and the study’s senior author, explained, “Depression is a taboo subject, especially during pregnancy. However, we observed that the gut microbiota responds to this process. The microbiota composition in pregnant women with depressive symptoms is distinctly different from those without, and it changes with psychiatric treatment.”
The study is the first of its kind in Brazil to explore the relationship between gut microbiota and depressive symptoms in pregnant women. It aligns with similar research conducted globally on the role of the gut microbiota in mental health. The researchers also note that this study is part of a larger ongoing project aimed at understanding the impact of gut microbiota on pregnancy-related diseases, such as preeclampsia.
The findings highlight the importance of mental health care during pregnancy, a period when women are particularly vulnerable to psychiatric conditions. Taddei emphasized the need for improved monitoring of pregnant women’s mental health, noting that between 31% and 50% of women with anxiety and depression during pregnancy are undiagnosed, and only a small fraction receive adequate treatment. Furthermore, depression during pregnancy is closely linked to postpartum depression, affecting both the mother and the child.
As the study suggests, a closer look at the gut microbiota may provide valuable insights into mental health during pregnancy. “Although it’s not yet feasible to analyze the microbiota of every pregnant woman as a routine practice, our findings suggest that including mental health assessments as part of standard antenatal care could help identify at-risk women and improve their outcomes,” Taddei added.
The researchers also point out that maternal mental health problems can impact fetal development, potentially leading to premature births or complications such as low birth weight. The study’s findings underscore the complex interplay between mental health, gut health, and pregnancy, reinforcing the need for integrated care approaches.
For more information, see the full study: Amanda S. Mota et al, Longitudinal Gut Microbiota Composition During Perinatal Period in Women with Different Intensities of Depressive Symptoms, Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.47626/1516-4446-2024-3721.
