Br J Psychiatry. 2025 Aug 19:1-12. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2025.39. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the perinatal period, women may be more susceptible to depressive symptoms because of fluctuating oestrogen levels. Genetic variations, epigenetic modifications and varying gene expression levels of oestrogen receptor genes may contribute to inter-individual differences in the encoded receptors’ sensitivity to oestrogen, ultimately modulating the susceptibility to depressive symptoms.
AIMS: The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the literature on the association between oestrogen receptor genes and perinatal depression symptoms by including genetic, epigenetic and gene expression studies.
METHOD: A systematic search of three public databases, PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science, was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023447446). Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality.
RESULTS: A total of 29 studies were finally included, of which 16 investigated genetic variants, five investigated epigenetic modifications and eight investigated gene expression levels of oestrogen receptor genes. A limited number of genetic variations were found to be associated with perinatal depression symptoms, most of them in ESR1. Moreover, DNA methylation marks involved in oestrogen signalling, and gene expression levels of ESR1 and ESR2, were found to be associated with perinatal depression symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variations, epigenetic modifications and gene expression levels of oestrogen receptor genes are associated with susceptibility to perinatal depression symptoms. The underlying mechanism might be the inter-individual modulation of the encoded receptors’ sensitivity to oestrogen. Future research employing more comprehensive and integrative approaches is needed to better understand the aetiology of perinatal depression symptoms.
PMID:40827327 | DOI:10.1192/bjp.2025.39
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