Postpartum maternal depression increases the chance of autistic offspring

Lohuis, Pien S.M. (2023) Postpartum maternal depression increases the chance of autistic offspring. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Maternal depression is a widespread issue, with approximately one in three women experiencing symptoms of depression during the four years following childbirth. Evidence suggests that maternal depression increases the risk of altered neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, including problems in emotion, behavior, and cognition. While the hereditary nature of ASD is acknowledged, the potential influence of maternal depression during pregnancy in augmenting the risk of ASD remains uncertain. The impact of depression during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment is not well understood. This thesis explores whether postpartum maternal depression is associated with the development of autism disorder in offspring. In this thesis, different animal models, specifically rats and mice, were reviewed to answer the question whether postpartum maternal depression induces autistic-like behaviors in the offspring. The literature search included behavior of depressed dams and their impact on maternal care, and it explored the consequences of low maternal care on offspring behavior. In addition, autistic-like features in mice models were included, particularly focusing on social behavior. Finally, the social behavior of offspring exposed to postpartum maternal depression was compared to that of autistic mice models to evaluate potential similarities or differences. Findings exhibit that postpartum maternal depression leads to altered maternal care and reduced social behaviors in the offs

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Olivier, J.D.A.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2023 10:31
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2023 10:31
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/30354

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