Children of Depressed Mothers Exposed to Multiple Risk Factors for Psychopathology
Multiple studies have concluded that the children of depressed mothers are at increased risk for behavioral problems and other mental health issues. Data from 7429 mother–child pairs participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in the UK indicate that maternal depression (assessed when the children were 1.5 year old) is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses in the children at 7.5 years of age.
No Safe Level of Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
Reduced birth length and weight, microcephaly, and characteristic facial deformities (smooth philtrum and thin vermillion border) are associated with alcohol exposure during the second half of the first trimester and are dose-related. In this prospective study including 992 subjects, there was no evidence of a threshold, indicating that women should be advised to abstain from alcohol consumption from conception throughout pregnancy.
Aerobic Training Improves Menopausal Symptoms and Mood
In this randomized clinical trial, 154 sedentary, symptomatic women were randomly assigned to an aerobic training or a control group. The intervention included unsupervised aerobic training for 50 minutes four times weekly for 24 weeks, whereas the control group attended health lectures twice a month. Night sweats, mood swings, and irritability were reduced more among the women in the intervention group than in the control group.
Raloxifene as Adjunctive Treatment for Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia
A few years ago on our blog, we reviewed a paper suggesting that estrogen may be a beneficial treatment for women with schizophrenia. In this study patients with schizophrenia receiving estrogen showed significant improvement in their positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), but no difference in negative symptoms (reduction in range of emotional expression, poverty of speech, lack of motivation).1, 2 Additional studies have also found estrogen to be effective in improving positive and general symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. 3, 4
The National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics: Looking Ahead to 2012
We want to thank those of you who have continued to subscribe to our blog and who have visited our website. Some have written noting particular interest in the research conducted at the MGH Center for Women's Mental Health, including the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics.
Topiramate (Topamax) Associated with an Increased Risk of Oral Clefts
Topiramate (marketed as a Topamax), in addition to its use for the treatment of epilepsy, is now being prescribed to reproductive aged women for a broad spectrum of indications, including migraine headaches, weight control, and mood stabilization. Limited information is available on its reproductive safety; however, the preliminary data we do have raises some concerns regarding the use of topiramate in pregnancy.