Conventional and new immunotherapies for immune system dysregulation in postpartum mood disorders: comparisons to immune system dysregulations in bipolar disorder, major depression and postpartum autoimmune thyroid disease

Introduction Postpartum mood disorders are heterogenous disorders and comprise postpartum psychosis and postpartum depression. Evidence is accumulating that systemic monocyte/macrophage activation, low grade inflammation and (premature senescence related) T cell defects increase the risk for mood disorders outside pregnancy by affecting the function of microglia and T cells in the emotional brain (the cortico-limbic system) leading to inadequate mood regulation upon stress.