DNA METHYLATION BIOMARKERS OF POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION RISK

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of post-partum depression. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of biomarkers to diagnose post-partum depression or predict a risk thereof. In a specific embodiment, a method for identifying a likelihood of PPD in a patient comprises the steps of (a) providing a sample from the patient; (b) measuring white blood cell type counts and DNA methylation levels of a panel of biomarkers in the sample collected from the patient, wherein the panel of biomarkers comprises HP1BP3 and TTC9B and the white blood cell type counts comprise monocytes and non-monocytes; and (c) identifying the patient as likely to develop PPD based on the relative DNA methylation levels at the biomarker loci relative to the ratio of monocytes:non-monocytes.