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In rat studies, pups that have been licked and groomed have lower methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (GR) and fewer anxiety behaviors than pups without these maternal actions (NEJM JW Psychiatry Sep 23 2004 and Nat Neurosci 2004; 7:847 and 791). To translate these findings to humans, investigators studied 181 women and their infants.
Mothers' depression was rated at 20 and 32 weeks' gestation. At 5 and 9 weeks postpartum, ratings of maternal depression, infant stroking, and infant GR methylation were obtained. Selection of GR locus was based on previous findings in the literature. Analyses controlled for multiple substance use and obstetric variables.
Prenatal and postnatal depressions were highly correlated to each other and sig…