The work of my research group includes investigations into the clinical course, etiopathology and treatment of psychiatric disorders as they occur in women. A major component of this work includes investigations into the occurrence and treatment of illnesses in pregnancy and the postpartum period, and across the menstrual cycle. This area, by its nature, cuts across disciplines and requires psychiatric expertise, as well as knowledge in neuroscience and reproductive biology.
Reciprocally, we assess the effects that psychiatric illnesses and their treatments, have on perinatal outcomes. In a cohort study funded by NICHD, we recruited approximately 2800 women and interviewed them three times during pregnancy. We are assessing whether depression is a risk factor for preterm delivery, independent of antidepressant treatment. This large prospective cohort study includes information on maternal psychiatric illness, antidepressant treatment and other obstetrical risk factors.
An additional endeavor of my lab is determine optimal ways of screening for and treating women who are pregnant or postpartum and struggle with substance use problems. We use psychotherapies and potentially new pharmacological therapies that are tailored for perinatal women.