Epigenetic Biomarkers of Postpartum Psychosis

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Abstract Reproductive mood episodes, such as postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum psychosis, are mood episodes triggered by reproductive hormonal changes in women. We have previously identified two epigenetic biomarkers of postpartum depression at the TTC9B and HP1BP3 genes that are approximately 80% accurate in predicting which women will be depressed in the postpartum time- period. We have recently shown that these biomarkers are also associated with women that have premenstrual dysphoric disorder when blood is sampled in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle indicating that they may be more general biomarkers of brain sensitivity to reproductive hormone fluctuations. This proposal will take advantage of a unique sample of blood specimens collected in the Netherlands from women with Postpartum Psychosis and will determine if our epigenetic biomarkers are also associated with Postpartum Psychosis. We will also conduct a genome wide microarray analyses in order to identify epigenetic biomarkers that are specific to Postpartum Psychosis. Postpartum psychosis is a serious psychiatric illness with acute onset in the immediate postpartum time period. Postpartum Psychosis almost always requires psychiatric hospitalization and carries with it an elevated risk of suicide and infanticide. Identification of blood-based biomarkers that are predictive of an increased risk for Postpartum Psychosis would allow for preventative measures which may eliminate a psychiatric emergency and prevent hospitalization during the critical postpartum time period.