In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight Tufts University and Dr. Jamie Maguire’s project on explaining sex differences in network aberrations in depression. In collaboration with Sage Therapeutics, this project examined the role of neurosteroids in the pathophysiology of the disease and explored novel mechanisms mediating the antidepressant effects of neuroactive steroids. This included a specific focus on postpartum depression. The partnership led to Dr. Maguire’s current translational efforts to improve the clinical care for individuals with psychiatric illnesses. There is now a manuscript being prepared describing this work.
“This collaboration with Sage Therapeutics supported by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has enabled us to support research efforts that we would not have been able to get funded through other mechanisms given the focus on women’s health,” said Dr. Maguire.
The project was funded by the MLSC’s Women’s Health Collaboration program, which supports translational academic and industry research collaborations that improve the discovery, technical innovation, and/or analysis of datasets to answer pressing life science questions around women’s health.
“Focused mechanisms on women’s health such as those provided by the MLSC fill a huge gap in funding this important area of research,” added Dr. Maguire. “Massachusetts has already established the infrastructure, supported by the MLSC, to leverage new investments in women’s health to maximize the impact. The MLSC serves as an example of the impact that investment in women’s health can provide.”
During Women’s History Month, Dr. Maguire reflects, recognizes, and appreciates the generations of women in science who came before her and forged a path forward.
Since inception, the MLSC has deployed nearly $15.5 million to Tufts University and has supported over 250 interns through the Internship Challenge.
The Center’s Women’s Health Initiative offers a suite of programs to support research that furthers our understanding of sex and gender differences especially for diseases or conditions that affect women solely, disproportionately, or differently. Learn more.
