The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) awarded a $803,735 Project Grant (CFDA 93.242 - Mental Health Research Grants) to Vanderbilt University to conduct a longitudinal study investigating neurological changes during pregnancy and the implications for peripartum mental health. Over a 5-year period, the research team will use advanced multimodal MRI to characterize alterations in brain structure, function, and connectivity across pregnancy, and examine the relationship to hormonal changes and peripartum depressive symptoms. This innovative project aims to fill a critical knowledge gap regarding neurobiological changes during this understudied period and establish a foundation for translating the findings to better understand and address peripartum depression. The research will be conducted by Vanderbilt's multidisciplinary team of experts in developmental neuroscience, peripartum mental health, imaging science, bioethics, and maternal-fetal medicine.
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