The Pranaiya and Arthur Magoffin Foundation (“PAM Foundation”) has announced its second collaboration with the University of Oxford to investigate postpartum depression (“PPD”) and other perinatal mental health illnesses.
The research, being conducted by the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (“DPAG”) with the support of St Anne’s College, will explore the role that changes in the way genes are read and enacted upon by the body during and post pregnancy could contribute to PPD and postpartum psychosis (“PPP”). Associate Professor Francis Szele and DPhil student, Jemima Becker, of Szele Group (https://www.dpag.ox.ac.uk/research/szele-group) at DPAG are leading the research.
Dr Szele said that “Despite PPD and PPP’s prevalence, we have a limited understanding of the neurobiology” and went on to explain more detail about the research. “Stem cells in the brain generate new neurons, through a process called neurogenesis, which can be regulated by changes in the levels of maternal-relevant hormones. In addition, the dysfunction of these new neurons has been linked to a range of psychiatric disorders.” Graduate student Jemima Becker added that “‘Epigenetics’ refers to the manner in which the body regulates gene expression, the way the body ‘reads’ DNA instructions and responds. We are investigating the role that epigenetics plays in pregnancy-related neurogenesis, and how epigenetic disruption may contribute to PPD and PPP.”
The research has been made possible thanks to the generous donations made to PAM Foundation over the last two years. Hamish Magoffin of PAM Foundation said, “thank you to all those that have contributed towards the funding of this research and also the University of Oxford in placing importance on maternal mental health research. I hope that over the course of this initial three-year study we will better understand the causes of PPD and related illnesses, and develop more effective treatments to help the many that suffer.”
PAM Foundation, established by Hamish Magoffin in memory of his wife Pranaiya and son Arthur, is dedicated to assisting families affected by perinatal mental health conditions. The Foundation focuses on Awareness and Education, Care, and Research and is particularly active in Thailand and the United Kingdom.
The research is being undertaken by the University of Oxford’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, with support from St Anne’s College. The University is world-renowned for its learning and research environment, and St Anne’s is one of the first colleges in Oxford to admit women. DPAG’s research is split into six broad areas of study, including: Cardiac Science; Cell Physiology; Development and Cell Biology; Functional Genomics; Metabolism and Endocrinology; Neuroscience.
Pranaiya and Arthur Magoffin Foundation (PAM Foundation) is proud to announce its second collaboration with the University of Oxford into postpartum depression (PPD) and other perinatal mental health illnesses. The research, supported by St Anne’s College, will investigate the role that changes in the way genes are read and enacted upon by the body during and post-pregnancy could contribute to PPD and postpartum psychosis (PPP).
Associate Professor Francis Szele and DPhil student, Jemima Becker, of Szele Group at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG), are leading the research. Dr Szele commented: “Despite PPD and PPP’s prevalence, we have a limited understanding of the neurobiology. Stem cells in the brain generate new neurons, through a process called neurogenesis, which can be regulated by changes in the levels of maternal-relevant hormones. In addition, the dysfunction of these new neurons has been linked to a range of psychiatric disorders.”
Graduate student Jemima Becker added: “‘Epigenetics’ refers to the manner in which the body regulates gene expression, the way the body ‘reads’ DNA instructions and responds. We are investigating the role that epigenetics plays in pregnancy-related neurogenesis, and how epigenetic disruption may contribute to PPD and PPP.”
This research was made possible thanks to the kind donations made to PAM Foundation over the course of 2022 and 2023. Hamish Magoffin of PAM Foundation said, “thank you to all those that have contributed towards the funding of this research and also the University of Oxford in placing importance on maternal mental health research. I hope that over the course
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