Postpartum Depression and Women’s Brain Health

Postpartum depression affects nearly one in eight women in the United States, yet effective, targeted treatments have historically been limited. The Reddy Lab has conducted pioneering research into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying postpartum depression, with a particular focus on neurosteroids as key modulators of mood and neural excitability during and after pregnancy. This work has had a direct and measurable impact on clinical care, contributing to the development of brexanolone (Zulresso), the first FDA-approved treatment specifically indicated for postpartum depression, and laying the scientific foundation for zuranolone, the first oral neurosteroid approved for the condition. Both therapies are now used worldwide, representing a significant advance in the understanding and treatment of women’s neurological and mental health.

Selected Publications

Hormones Affecting Reproduction
D.S. Reddy, John E. Gadsby. Book Chapter 28 (Endocrine Pharmacology) Chapter 28; pp. 717–731 [PDF]

Sex Differences in Organophosphate Model of Benzodiazepine- Refractory Status Epilepticus and Neuronal Damage
Tanveer Singh, Sreevidhya Ramakrishnan, Xin Wu, and Doodipala Samba Reddy. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Vol. 388 pp. 313–324 (2024) [PDF] [DOI]

Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of brexanolone (allopregnanolone) for postpartum depression: a landmark journey from concept to clinic in neurosteroid replacement therapy
D.S. Reddy, I. Mbilinyi, W.A. Estes. Psychopharmacology 2023 [PDF] [DOI]

Neuroendocrine insights for neurosteroid therapy of postpartum depression
D.S. Reddy. Trends in Molecular Medicine 2023 [PDF] [DOI]

Neurosteroid replacement therapy aims to control seizures in women
D.S. Reddy. Research at Texas A&M (research.tamu.edu) 2015-05-05 00:00:00 [PDF] [DOI]