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Open Access 01-04-2012 | Original Article

Decreased startle modulation during anticipation in the postpartum period in comparison to late pregnancy

Authors: Charlotte Hellgren, Elin Bannbers, Helena Åkerud, Victoria Risbrough, Inger Sundström Poromaa

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Knowledge about healthy women’s psychophysiological adaptations during the large neuroendocrine changes of pregnancy and childbirth is essential in order to understand why these events have the potential to disrupt mental health in vulnerable individuals. This study aimed to compare startle response modulation, an objective psychophysiological measure demonstrated to be influenced by anxiety and depression, longitudinally across late pregnancy and the postpartum period. The acoustic startle response modulation was assessed during anticipation of affective images and during image viewing in 31 healthy women during gestational weeks 36–39 and again at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. No startle modulation by affective images was observed at either time point. Significant modulation during anticipation stimuli was found at pregnancy assessment but was reduced in the postpartum period. The women rated the unpleasant images more negative and more arousing and the pleasant images more positive at the postpartum assessment. Self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms did not change between assessments. The observed postpartum decrease in modulation of startle by anticipation suggests a relatively deactivated defense system in the postpartum period.

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Title: Decreased startle modulation during anticipation in the postpartum period in comparison to late pregnancy
Authors: Charlotte Hellgren
Elin Bannbers
Helena Åkerud
Victoria Risbrough
Inger Sundström Poromaa
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-012-0261-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Decreased startle modulation during anticipation in the postpartum period in comparison to late pregnancy

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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