Congratulations to post doc Søren Vinther Larsen for being granted 5.154.467 DKK from DFF for a 5-year research project entitled 'Neuroendocrine and Neuroimmune Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives: Mechanistic Implications for Antidepressant Treatment Effects' and 597.087 DKK from the Research Fund of the Capital Region of Denmark for a 4-year project entitled 'Reproductive mental health: Optimizing treatment of depression in women using oral contraceptive'.
Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use has been linked to increased risk of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests COCs alter brain serotonin systems and may affect endocrine and immune pathways involved in some MDD cases. This raises the possibility that women with MDD using COCs represent a distinct biological subgroup who may benefit from specific treatment strategies. As first-line antidepressant treatment (SSRIs) is only effective in about half of MDD patients, identifying such subgroups is crucial. Since 40% of young women use COC, they represent a highly relevant subgroup.
Across the two projects we will investiagte reversible biological effects of oral contraceptive use in both healthy women and women with depression. In doing so, we will study whether oral contraceptive cessation benefits antidepressant treatment and potential underlying mechanisms. The goal is to contribute to a more personalized and effective intervention for women with depression.