Major Depressive Disorder & Postpartum Depression: Targeting the GABA Deficit

Major depressive disorder (MDD), perinatal depression, and postpartum depression (PPD) are increasingly prevalent conditions that carry an extremely high disease burden. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of major depressive episodes have led to significant unmet needs for these patient populations. Success of treatment with traditional antidepressants that target monoaminergic deficiencies and imbalances is limited by non- or incomplete therapeutic response as well as delayed onset of action. A new therapeutic class of medications with a more rapid therapeutic onset has emerged to target the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic dysfunction that can contribute to depressive symptoms. To improve outcomes for patients, health professionals such as psychiatrists, obstetricians/gynecologists, and others would benefit from an educational intervention that helps them understand risk factors for MDD and PPD, the role of underlying GABAergic dysfunction, and therapeutic strategies that address the GABAergic deficit associated with these conditions. In this educational program, experts will review disease burden and risk factors, explain how GABAergic dysfunction contributes to MDD and PPD, and review evidence for current and emerging GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators that may improve patient outcomes.