04/06/2021
By Neha Sahasrabudhe

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Neha Sahasrabudhe on “Environmental and Dietary determinants of Depression.”

Candidate Name: Neha Sahasrabudhe
Defense Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: Via Zoom meeting

Advisor: Natalia Palacios, Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Committee Members

  • Katherine L. Tucker, Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences
  • Laura Punnett, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Jong Soo Lee, Department of Mathematical Sciences

Brief Abstract:
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability that may add significant burden to the society globally. Research examining potential determinants of depression especially among the minority populations, such as Puerto Ricans, is limited.
In Aim 1 and Aim 2 of this dissertation, we examined whether vitamin D status, assessed using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration and adherence to Mediterranean diet (MeD) are associated with self-reported depressive symptomatology assessed with Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression scale (CES-D) across three waves of follow-up in a cohort of Boston area Puerto Rican adults. We did not observe any association between serum 25(OH)D and depressive symptomatology (CES-D score) in our baseline cross-sectional as well as longitudinal analyses over 5 years of follow-up. In contrast, CES-D scores were significantly lower in those with higher MeD adherence at baseline and over 5 years of follow-up, but we did not observe a relationship between baseline MeD adherence and 5y CES-D trajectory. In Aim 3, we conducted a literature review to evaluate the relationship between Organophosphate exposure (OP), depression and gut microbiome. The most consistent finding across studies was reduced abundance of the genera Lactobacillus in response to OP exposure as well as in depressed individuals, however the literature on this topic is very heterogeneous.

In summary, this dissertation focused on several potentially modifiable risk factors of depression, such as dietary intake and nutrients as well as exposure to OP and the gut microbiome. More studies needed to develop preventive measures and more effective treatments for depression.