Editing Postpartum depression (section)

=== Neurobiology ===
[[Functional magnetic resonance imaging|fMRI]] studies indicate differences in brain activity between mothers with postpartum depression and those without. Mothers diagnosed with PPD tend to have less activity in the left [[frontal lobe]] and increased activity in the right frontal lobe when compared with healthy controls. They also exhibit decreased connectivity between vital brain structures, including the [[anterior cingulate cortex]], dorsal lateral [[prefrontal cortex]], [[amygdala]], and [[hippocampus]]. Brain activation differences between depressed and nondepressed mothers are more pronounced when stimulated by non-infant emotional cues. Depressed mothers show greater neural activity in the right amygdala toward non-infant emotional cues as well as reduced connectivity between the amygdala and right insular cortex. Recent findings have also identified blunted activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, [[striatum]], [[orbitofrontal cortex]], and [[Insular cortex|insula]] in mothers with PPD when viewing images of their infants.<ref name="Pawluski_2017">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS | title = The Neurobiology of Postpartum Anxiety and Depression | journal = Trends in Neurosciences | volume = 40 | issue = 2 | pages = 106–120 | date = February 2017 | pmid = 28129895 | doi = 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009 | s2cid = 28613743 | url = https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01452985/file/The%20Neurobiology%20of%20Postpartum-Tins%20Manscript%20REVISED%20clean%201.pdf }}</ref>

More robust studies on neural activation regarding PPD have been conducted with rodents than humans. These studies have allowed for greater isolation of specific brain regions, [[neurotransmitter]]s, [[hormone]]s, and [[steroid]]s.<ref name="Pawluski_2017" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Workman JL, Barha CK, Galea LA | title = Endocrine substrates of cognitive and affective changes during pregnancy and postpartum | journal = Behavioral Neuroscience | volume = 126 | issue = 1 | pages = 54–72 | date = February 2012 | pmid = 21967374 | doi = 10.1037/a0025538 | hdl-access = free | s2cid = 207642327 | hdl = 2429/66579 }}</ref>