In Brief: DHEA and Sexual Functioning in Premenopausal Women
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Â is a steroid hormone produced by humans. Â It functions as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the androgen and estrogen sex steroids. Â Â In a recent study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), researchers reported that DHEA treatment was associated with improvements in sexual function in premenopausal, infertile women with poor sexual function. The researchers were cautious in reporting these findings, [...]
Weekly Roundup for JANUARY 18, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
The first two articles look at the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy. Â We will review these studies in greater detail next week. They both indicate that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase risk for ASD; however, the studies suggest that the risk of ASD is greater in mothers with more severe depression. Â Also on the list is the largest [...]
Maternal Depression, But Not Exposure to SSRIs, Associated with Worse Executive Functioning in Children Â
While we have considerable data on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy, most of this research focuses on the risk of congenital malformations in exposed children. Â We have far less information regarding the long-term effects of SSRI antidepressants on neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed children. A recent study looks at executive functioning in children at six years of age, measuring the impact of exposure to SSRIs, as [...]
Oral Allopregnanolone Analogue for Postpartum Depression Treatment
In 2015, we first reported on SAGE-547 (SAGE Therapeutics), a new medication for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). Â SAGE-547, now called brexanolone, is a neurosteroid, an analogue of allopregnanolone and an allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors. Â Since that time, Sage Therapeutics has conducted three randomized controlled trials, enrolling a total of 247 women diagnosed with moderate to severe postpartum depression. Â Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory [...]
Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid: ADHD and Other Deficits in Cognitive Functioning
Previous studies have shown that children exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy may be at increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Â In a recent population-based cohort study from Denmark, researchers examined the prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children with prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Â The conort included all liveborn singleton children born between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2011 (N?=?913?302). Information on exposure to AEDs during pregnancy [...]
Weekly Roundup for JANUARY 11, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Happy New Year! Only a week into 2019, there is no shortage of articles to review and discuss. Â Over the last week, the article that has received the most press is the one documenting the association between prenatal use of valproic acid and increased risk of ADHD in exposed offspring. Â This adds to a long list of deleterious effects stemming from prenatal exposure to valproic acid, including high risk of [...]