# Georgia CTSA Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Dunn)

> **NIH NIH UL1** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $176,798

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA) is a compelling partnership of Emory
University, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of
Georgia (UGA). The KL2 Program is an essential component of the Georgia CTSA and will respond to these
critical needs to train a new and diverse generation of clinical and translational research (CTR) investigators
who will carry out high impact research and translate new discoveries to improve health. The KL2 Program is
focused on enhancing the career development of a diverse and talented group of junior faculty (Instructor or
Assistant Professor level) with either PharmD, PhD and/or MD degrees at the Georgia CTSA partner
institutions. Dr. Dunn will use the Georgia CTSA KL2 Program to obtain personalized training by completing
carefully planned didactic coursework, individualized instruction, attending seminars and conferences, and
completing supervised research experiences under the guidance of a mentoring team of seasoned
investigators with expertise in depression physiology, neuroendocrine and stress physiologic pathways,
biostatistical microbiome analysis, and translational research methods.
 The objective of this proposal is to explore biological pathways underpinning Postpartum depression
(PPD)-the most common peripartum mood disorder affecting more than 500,000 women in the US annually.
The latest evidence suggests that several biological mechanisms influence PPD symptoms including altered
immune and inflammatory pathways. One area of scientific inquiry that has been found to influence immune
and inflammatory pathways that has also emerged as a key depression biomarker and target for therapeutic
intervention in non-pregnant human and animal models is the brain-gut microbiota axis (BGMA), an
unexplored area of research within the context of PPD. Recent findings have shown that individuals with major
depression demonstrate a different gut microbial composition than non-depressed individuals. Gut associated
microbes are known to leak across the gut initiating inflammatory immune reactions in the gut mucosa as well
as the host systemic inflammatory response. However, neither gut microbiome composition or gut leakiness –
or their contribution to host inflammation --have been explored in the context of PPD symptoms.
 Thus, to investigate the contribution of the BGMA on postpartum depressive symptoms in accordance
with clinical postpartum care guidelines (within the first 3 weeks postpartum), DSM-V criteria (prenatal onset/
within 4 weeks following delivery), and recent Georgia maternal mortality data findings, we will prospectively
enroll a pilot sample of 60 women at 3 weeks postpartum. We will investigate the relationships between the gut
microbiome composition, markers of intestinal barrier dysfunction (LPS binding protein), systemic inflammatory
markers (cytokines), and postpartum depressive symptoms. We will also...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10049764
- **Project number:** 3UL1TR002378-04S3
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Andres J Garcia
- **Activity code:** UL1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $176,798
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-22 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10049764

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10049764, Georgia CTSA Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Dunn) (3UL1TR002378-04S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10049764. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*