Effects of a maternal psychosocial intervention on hair derived biomarkers of HPA axis function in mothers and children in rural Pakistan

Disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are thought to be key neuroendocrine mechanisms involved psychopathology and may have intergenerational impacts. Hair-derived HPA hormones offer a measure of long-term activity that useful assessing maternal infant health. Building on community-based randomized control trial perinatal depression intervention Pakistan, we examine effects subsample mothers infants. was assessed using hair-derived cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA). Hair samples were collected from mother-child dyads at one year postpartum prenatally depressed women cognitive-behavioral (n ?= ?35 dyads) or enhanced usual care ?37 dyads), comparison sample who screened negative for pregnancy dyads). The group had 38 percent (p= 0.01) lower cortisol levels 45 ( p ?< ?0.01) cortisone compared EUC group. Maternal DHEA higher among by 29 ?0.02). Intergenerational show infants 43% ?0.03). Infant did not differ across groups. Results suggest has both children, providing evidence treating impact physiological stress system functioning intergenerationally. In addition, utilizing biomarkers HPA-axis is potentially clinical indicator impacts system. • Psychosocial interventions improve regulation, but few studies investigated this low-income settings. This study evaluates targeted rural Pakistan. led significant reduction mothers, as well an increase DHEA. infants, DHEA, no differences cortisone. showed mother activity, suggesting benefits.