Linde van Lee1, Phaik Ling Quah1, Seang Mei Saw2, Fabian K P Yap3,4, Keith M Godfrey5,6, Yap Seng Chong1,7, Michael J Meaney1,8, Helen Chen9, Mary Foong-Fong Chong1,2,10. 1. Singapore Institute for Clinical Science, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore. 2. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. 3. Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. 4. Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. 5. Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. 6. NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK. 7. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. 8. Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 9. Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, Singapore. 10. Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Choline and betaine status have previously been associated with symptoms of depression. However, the relation of maternal plasma choline and betaine concentrations in pregnancy to peripartum maternal mood is unknown. METHODS: Maternal plasma choline and betaine concentrations (μmol/L) were measured at 26-28 weeks gestation in the Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) mother-offspring cohort. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) at 26-28 weeks gestation (n = 949) and at 3 months postnatal (n = 689): higher scores are indicative of more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the association of choline and betaine with ante- and postnatal mental well-being adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Mean (SD) antenatal plasma choline and betaine concentrations were 9.2 μmol/L (1.6) and 13.1 μmol/L (2.7), respectively. Plasma choline concentrations were positively associated with antenatal depressive (β = .24 EPDS score [95% CI: 0.05-0.43] per μmol/L] and anxiety symptoms (β = .46 STAI-state score [95% CI: 0.03-0.88] per μmol/L) adjusting for covariates. Plasma betaine concentrations were not associated with antenatal depression or anxiety symptoms. No associations were observed between pregnancy choline or betaine and postnatal mental well-being. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that higher maternal plasma choline status during pregnancy is associated with more symptoms of antenatal depression and anxiety, whereas plasma betaine concentrations showed no associations. No associations were observed for postnatal mental well-being. Prospective studies are required to replicate these findings and further examine the direction of causality and possible biological mechanisms.
BACKGROUND: Choline and betaine status have previously been associated with symptoms of depression. However, the relation of maternal plasma choline and betaine concentrations in pregnancy to peripartum maternal mood is unknown. METHODS: Maternal plasma choline and betaine concentrations (μmol/L) were measured at 26-28 weeks gestation in the Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) mother-offspring cohort. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) at 26-28 weeks gestation (n = 949) and at 3 months postnatal (n = 689): higher scores are indicative of more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the association of choline and betaine with ante- and postnatal mental well-being adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Mean (SD) antenatal plasma choline and betaine concentrations were 9.2 μmol/L (1.6) and 13.1 μmol/L (2.7), respectively. Plasma choline concentrations were positively associated with antenatal depressive (β = .24 EPDS score [95% CI: 0.05-0.43] per μmol/L] and anxiety symptoms (β = .46 STAI-state score [95% CI: 0.03-0.88] per μmol/L) adjusting for covariates. Plasma betaine concentrations were not associated with antenatal depression or anxiety symptoms. No associations were observed between pregnancy choline or betaine and postnatal mental well-being. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that higher maternal plasma choline status during pregnancy is associated with more symptoms of antenatal depression and anxiety, whereas plasma betaine concentrations showed no associations. No associations were observed for postnatal mental well-being. Prospective studies are required to replicate these findings and further examine the direction of causality and possible biological mechanisms.
Authors: Rene Luis Olvera; Sheila C Caetano; Jeffrey A Stanley; Hua-Hsuan Chen; Mark Nicoletti; John P Hatch; Manoela Fonseca; Steven R Pliszka; Jair C Soares Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2010-11-30 Impact factor: 3.222
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Authors: Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen; Melissa Jane Cudmore; Eva Haeussner; Christoph Schmitz; Anu-Katriina Pesonen; Esa Hämäläinen; Pia M Villa; Susanna Mehtälä; Eero Kajantie; Hannele Laivuori; Rebecca M Reynolds; Hans-Georg Frank; Katri Räikkönen Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2018-01-15 Impact factor: 4.379