Karen Amaral Tavares Pinheiro - Universidade Católica de Pelotas

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Artigo 2: Serum NGF, BDNF and IL-6 levels in postpartum mothers as predictors of infant
neurobiological development: the influence of affective disorders
Revista: Biological Psychiatry
Serum NGF, BDNF and IL-6 levels in postpartum mothers as predictors of infant
neurobiological development: the influence of affective disorders
ABSTRACT
Background: Early adverse experiences are associated with increased risk of
developing psychiatric disorders, although little is known about the neurobiological mediators
involved. The mechanisms by which early environmental influences may mediate
vulnerability in the development of offspring await further investigation. The present study
correlated the Neurotrophic Growth Factor (NGF), Brain Derived Neurothofic Factor
(BDNF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol levels of mothers with postpartum affective
disorders (PPAD) with infant neurobiological development.
Methods: A longitudinal study was performed with 152 pregnant women and their
infants. Between 60 and 120 days after delivery, women were interviewed and provided
biological samples for biochemical analysis, and the infants were examined for
neurobiological-motor development.
Results: Overall, the mothers’ history of affective disorders, PPAD and anxiety
disorder were associated with infant motor development. Using an adjusted linear regression
analysis, history of affective disorder (p=0.147), PPAD (p=0.049), maternal anxiety disorder
(p=0.043), NGF level (p=0.034) and infant cortisol level (p=0.013) were associated with
infant motor development. Using a factorial analysis of primary components, two components
were restrained. The psychological factor was characterized by a positive loading of a history