There are currently 2 primary studies underway in the lab:
I. Perinatal Precursors of Early Microbiome Development
NICHD RO1 HD102604
This study will examine the effects of women's emotional distress during pregnancy and the steroids given to them as part of care on the specific microbes infants have in their gut after birth, along with their related metabolites, genes and gene pathways. The research will also assess the degree to which steroid-related and stress-related microbes of mothers are transmitted to infants during the birth process. The early gut microbiome of infants serves as an important foundation for later health so it is critical that we understand factors influencing its development.
II. Genomics Research Training in Symptom Science
NHGRI-NINR R3t3NR016920-04S1
Understanding how genes influence illness-related symptoms of patients is essential for effective assessment and management of their symptoms in nursing care. The purpose of this program is to prepare two predoctoral nursing students to conduct genomic research in symptom science, and to enhance the genomics content of an existing training program that is preparing nurse scientists for biobehavioral research careers in symptom science. Research conducted by these nurses will assist clinicians in providing more individualized care to patients who are suffering from a variety of troubling symptoms.
Our former studies include:
I. Antenatal Corticosteroids, Maternal Depression and Preterm Infant Stress Response
NICHD RO1 HD081188
In this study, we are examining the effect of fetal exposure to both exogenous corticosteroids and mother’s stress hormones on development of the infant’s ability to regulate stress, as evidenced in the infant’s neuroendocrine, autonomic, and affective responses associated with stress over the preterm infant’s first 12 months of life. We are also studying the effects of stress hormones during pregnancy on infant telomere length and the moderating effect of maternal depression on infant stress-related responses from birth to 1 year of age. Lastly, the study provides data on factors associated with perinatal and postpartum depression as well as the course of depression over time. Both biomarkers and social determinants are key areas of focus, as well as how they interact to influence stress regulation and depression.
II. Moderators of Maternal Depression’s Relationship to Mother-Infant Interaction
NICHD RO1 HD084813
In this multi-site study, we are identifying qualities of mother-infant interaction among women at high risk of postpartum depression and determining the effects of maternal depression on mother-infant interaction across the 1st year of life. Videos of interaction are being coded for over 700 infants and their mothers at different time points, providing data on variables such as maternal sensitivity to distress, stimulation of development, intrusiveness, detachment, positive and negative regard, maternal and infant mood, and dyadic mutuality. A key focus of the research is to determine whether sociodemographic adversity (e.g. poverty, trauma), infant phenotypes (e.g. neonatal morbidity, temperament), and maternal co-morbidities (e.g. anxiety, substance abuse) moderate the effects of a mother's depression on her capacity for optimal interactions with her infant.
III. Fetal Programming of the Microbiome and its Mediating Role in Infant Stress Dysregulation
Robert C. and Delphine Wentland Eschbach Endowment
We are studying biomarkers of maternal stress (cortisol, C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-1b, and TNF-a) during pregnancy to determine their relationship to diversity of the infant microbiome and potential dysbiosis in beneficial versus pathogenic microbiota. We then relate these microbial characteristics to infant neuroendocrine, autonomic and behavioral reactivity in response to stress, providing knowledge of how fetal experience may program the infant’s Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis and problems in managing stress. In this research, we are also looking at the relationship between microbial dysbiosis and infant telomere length.
IV. Characterizing the Context, Symptoms and Treatment of Women Who Experience Mood Disorders
National Network of Depression Centers
This study is a multi-site investigation involving 14 Universities that are part of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC). The overall goal of the study is to better understand the etiology, triggers, symptoms, co-morbidity, and treatment of women who experience depression, stress, and anxiety. We are examining 1) whether the prevalence of symptoms or symptom profiles differ across age groups or reproductive stages, 2) how women's sociodemographic context, history of adversity and mental illness, or types of treatment are associated with different symptom profiles, and 3) whether symptom profiles differ across clinical settings (e.g. primary care, OB/GYN, psychiatry) where women are being seen. The research builds upon a collaborative infrastructure and registry of pooled data designed by the Women & Mood Disorders Research Group of the NNDC.