Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression
Abstract Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common non-obstetric complications associated with childbearing, but currently has poor diagnostic regimes. Sensory symptoms of PPD are understudied, particularly with regard to the sense of olfaction. The present study addresses this research gap by...
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2021-07-01
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doaj-3a1e52315fb04d7bb590405de21d54f22021-07-25T11:25:34ZengNature Publishing GroupScientific Reports2045-23222021-07-011111810.1038/s41598-021-94556-zOlfactory shifts linked to postpartum depressionMei Peng0Hazel Potterton1Joanna Ting Wai Chu2Paul Glue3Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of OtagoSensory Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of OtagoNational Institute for Health Innovation, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of AucklandDepartment of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, University of OtagoAbstract Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common non-obstetric complications associated with childbearing, but currently has poor diagnostic regimes. Sensory symptoms of PPD are understudied, particularly with regard to the sense of olfaction. The present study addresses this research gap by assessing differences in olfactory abilities between 39 depressed mothers, who were within the perinatal period (i.e., during pregnancy and up to 1-year post pregnancy) and assessed with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and their case-matched healthy volunteers. The assessments include two olfactory testing sessions conducted 4-weeks apart, each comprising a standard odour detection threshold test (i.e., Snap & Sniff Olfactory Test System), and intensity and valence ratings for 3 “pleasant” and 3 “unpleasant” odorants. The results revealed no difference between patients (M = 5.6; SE = 0.3) and control group (M = 5.7; SE = 0.4) in terms of olfactory detection threshold. However, the patients group perceived the 3 “unpleasant” odours as significantly less pleasant (p < 0.05), and 2 odorants (1 “pleasant” and 1 “unpleasant”) as less intense. Additionally, these results did not appear to be significantly interacted with the individual’s perinatal stage. The present study is the first to evaluate associations between olfactory function and PPD. Findings from the study suggest that, while PPD has little effect on the early stages of olfactory processing, these conditions may have stronger influence on higher-order olfactory perception, including both hedonic and intensity perception. These novel findings add knowledge to sensory symptoms of PPD.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94556-z |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mei Peng Hazel Potterton Joanna Ting Wai Chu Paul Glue |
spellingShingle |
Mei Peng Hazel Potterton Joanna Ting Wai Chu Paul Glue Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression Scientific Reports |
author_facet |
Mei Peng Hazel Potterton Joanna Ting Wai Chu Paul Glue |
author_sort |
Mei Peng |
title |
Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
title_short |
Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
title_full |
Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
title_fullStr |
Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
title_full_unstemmed |
Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
title_sort |
olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression |
publisher |
Nature Publishing Group |
series |
Scientific Reports |
issn |
2045-2322 |
publishDate |
2021-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common non-obstetric complications associated with childbearing, but currently has poor diagnostic regimes. Sensory symptoms of PPD are understudied, particularly with regard to the sense of olfaction. The present study addresses this research gap by assessing differences in olfactory abilities between 39 depressed mothers, who were within the perinatal period (i.e., during pregnancy and up to 1-year post pregnancy) and assessed with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and their case-matched healthy volunteers. The assessments include two olfactory testing sessions conducted 4-weeks apart, each comprising a standard odour detection threshold test (i.e., Snap & Sniff Olfactory Test System), and intensity and valence ratings for 3 “pleasant” and 3 “unpleasant” odorants. The results revealed no difference between patients (M = 5.6; SE = 0.3) and control group (M = 5.7; SE = 0.4) in terms of olfactory detection threshold. However, the patients group perceived the 3 “unpleasant” odours as significantly less pleasant (p < 0.05), and 2 odorants (1 “pleasant” and 1 “unpleasant”) as less intense. Additionally, these results did not appear to be significantly interacted with the individual’s perinatal stage. The present study is the first to evaluate associations between olfactory function and PPD. Findings from the study suggest that, while PPD has little effect on the early stages of olfactory processing, these conditions may have stronger influence on higher-order olfactory perception, including both hedonic and intensity perception. These novel findings add knowledge to sensory symptoms of PPD. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94556-z |
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