Abstract
DNA Methylation Changes Associated With Suicidal Ideation During Pregnancy
Biological psychiatry (1969), Vol.99(10 Supplement), pp.S30-S31
05/15/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.03.080
Abstract
Background
One population at high-risk for suicidality are individuals who are pregnant or recently postpartum, and the rate of suicide in this at-risk population is increasing. Compared to suicide deaths during the peripartum period, attempted suicide and suicidal ideation (SI) rates are considerably higher. Pregnancy constitutes one of the most dynamic physiological transitions experienced by women. In addition to the obvious physiological pregnancy adaptations that occur, neurobiological changes are also shown to increase susceptibility to psychiatric disorders.
Methods
The BASIC Cohort (Uppsala, Sweden) generated DNA methylation data and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) data at 17 weeks gestation (Non-SI participants (NSI)=184; SI=40), 38 weeks gestation (NSI=103; SI=24), and 8 weeks postpartum (NSI=127; SI=31).
Results
We identified 465, 2,883, and 510 CpGs that were significantly associated with SI at 17 weeks, 38 weeks, and 8 weeks postpartum, respectively (Bonferroni correction p=5.75x10-8). Overlap across the timepoints showed that DNA methylation changes associated with SI are more similar at 38 weeks gestation and 8 weeks postpartum compared to 17 weeks gestation. Notably, when we removed participants on SSRIs, the number of significantly different CpG sites increased, suggesting that individuals on SSRIs may have specific DNA methylation patterns or represent a subtype with different biological mechanisms.
Conclusions
We provide evidence for DNA methylation differences in association with SI during pregnancy. These patterns are distinct across trimesters suggesting altered DNA methylation, and risk for SI, may have different molecular mechanisms throughout pregnancy. Future work needs to include replication of these findings in independent cohorts and functional studies in mice.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- DNA Methylation Changes Associated With Suicidal Ideation During Pregnancy
- Creators
- Marie Gaine - University of IowaEmma Simpson-Wade - University of IowaJoelle Ruegg - Uppsala UniversityAlkistis Skalkidou - Uppsala University
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Biological psychiatry (1969), Vol.99(10 Supplement), pp.S30-S31
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.03.080
- ISSN
- 0006-3223
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/15/2026
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics
- Record Identifier
- 9985157608802771
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