缅北禁地

Speakers: Sorcha Alford, PhD Student (Kings) and Julia Siodmak, PhD Student (Tübingen)

The impact of lifetime and antenatal psychopathology on the quality of mother-infant interaction

Presented by Sorcha Alford, NIHR Maudsley BRC PhD Student, BSc, MSc

Disturbances in mother-infant interaction may contribute to the transmission of maternal psychopathology to the infant. Interventions that support mother-infant interaction could help prevent this intergenerational transmission - but when should they be implemented? Much research has focused on the impact of postpartum psychopathology on mother-infant interaction, determining that it yields clear negative effects. However, antenatal
psychopathology or lifetime psychopathology prior to pregnancy may set in motion disruptions prior to birth. Thus, the timing of maternal psychopathology may play a critical role in shaping interaction quality.

Using data from a longitudinal cohort (the Psychiatric Research and Motherhood Study; PRAM), we investigated whether maternal psychopathology occurring antenatally versus prior to pregnancy differentially impacts mother–infant interaction at 8 weeks and 12 months.

I am a final-year PhD student with a background in Neuroscience and Psychiatric Research. I am fascinated by the interaction between women’s mental and physical health across the lifespan. My PhD examines the short- and long-term impacts of perinatal psychopathology on mother–offspring interactions and offspring attachment style. I am particularly interested in how the timing of maternal psychopathology - prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, or in the postpartum period - differentially affects interaction quality. Alongside my academic research, I am a fledgling freelance research consultant, Managing Editor and writer for the online publication Inspire the Mind, and a guest editor for BMJ Connections Women’s Health special edition. 

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Postpartum Mental Health: An Integrative Randomized Controlled Trial

Presented by Julia Siodmiak, MSc, PhD Student, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG)

Depressive disorder with peripartum onset impacts 10–17% of women in the early postpartum months placing it as one of the most common health issues in this life phase. Previous studies have demonstrated that the history of depressive and anxiety symptoms and “baby blues” increase the risk for a postpartum major depressive episode. This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on mood dysregulation and other depressive symptoms and as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for depression after childbirth.
Pregnant women enrolled in their third trimester are randomly assigned postpartum to highintensity tVNS, low-intensity tVNS, or control conditions. Participants self-administer tVNS at home daily for 12 weeks with protocol crossover at 6 weeks. Using dense-sampling methods, the study collects repeated depressive symptoms measures, daily mood assessments via smartphone app, and continuous physiological monitoring of heart rate, sleep and activity. Psychosocial and biological predictors—including sleep quality, chronic stress and social support—are examined to identify factors influencing symptom trajectories.

This research aims to test whether tVNS can be a safe, effective, and feasible option for postpartum women, particularly those seeking alternative to psychopharmacological interventions during breastfeeding, while providing insights into at-home neuromodulation implementation.

Third-year PhD student working at the Women's Mental Health and Brain Function group at the intersection of psychiatry, neuroscience, and women's mental health. My research focuses on the prophylaxis of depression with peripartum onset, examining the dynamic interplay between physiological and psychological processes during the perinatal period. Using clinical trials, neuromodulation techniques, and biomarker analysis, I investigate the temporal patterns of perinatal mental health changes to identify early intervention targets. I prioritize participatory research methods, working directly with parents to ensure my findings address their actual needs and experiences during this vulnerable period.