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Brown MA, Gao MM, Isenhour J, Shakiba N, Crowell SE, Raby KL, Conradt E. Understanding emotion dysregulation from infancy to toddlerhood with a multilevel perspective: The buffering effect of maternal sensitivity. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38682545 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Challenges with childhood emotion regulation may have origins in infancy and forecast later social and cognitive developmental delays, academic difficulties, and psychopathology. This study tested whether markers of emotion dysregulation in infancy predict emotion dysregulation in toddlerhood, and whether those associations depended on maternal sensitivity. When children (N = 111) were 7 months, baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), RSA withdrawal, and distress were collected during the Still Face Paradigm (SFP). Mothers' reports of infant regulation and orientation and maternal sensitivity were also collected at that time. Mothers' reports of toddlers' dysregulation were collected at 18 months. A set of hierarchical regressions indicated that low baseline RSA and less change in RSA from baseline to stressor predicted greater dysregulation at 18 months, but only for infants who experienced low maternal sensitivity. Baseline RSA and RSA withdrawal were not significantly associated with later dysregulation for infants with highly sensitive mothers. Infants who exhibited low distress during the SFP and who had lower regulatory and orienting abilities at 7 months had higher dysregulation at 18 months regardless of maternal sensitivity. Altogether, these results suggest that risk for dysregulation in toddlerhood has biobehavioral origins in infancy but may be buffered by sensitive caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mengyu Miranda Gao
- Department of Psychology, Beijing Normal University School of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Jennifer Isenhour
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Nila Shakiba
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - K Lee Raby
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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2
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Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Alkon A, Melanie Thomas KCP, Laraia B, Adler N, Epel ES, Bush NR. Parental sensitivity modifies the associations between maternal prenatal stress exposure, autonomic nervous system functioning and infant temperament in a diverse, low-income sample. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:487-523. [PMID: 37749913 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2257669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that adversity experienced during fetal development may shape infant physiologic functioning and temperament. Parental sensitivity is associated with child stress regulation and may act as a buffer against risk for intergenerational health effects of pre- or postnatal adversity. Building upon prior evidence in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of infants (M infant age = 6.5 months) and women of low socioeconomic status, this study examined whether coded parenting sensitivity moderated the association between an objective measure of prenatal stress exposures (Stressful Life Events (SLE)) and infant parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) or sympathetic (pre-ejection period; PEP) nervous system functioning assessed during administration of the Still-Face-Paradigm (SFP) (n = 66), as well as maternal report of temperament (n = 154). Results showed that parental sensitivity moderated the associations between prenatal stress exposures and infant RSA reactivity, RSA recovery, PEP recovery, and temperamental negativity. Findings indicate that greater parental sensitivity is associated with lower infant autonomic nervous system reactivity and greater recovery from challenge. Results support the hypothesis that parental sensitivity buffers infants from the risk of prenatal stress exposure associations with offspring cross-system physiologic reactivity and regulation, potentially shaping trajectories of health and development and promoting resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Barbara Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nancy Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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3
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Ruffaner-Hanson CD, Fernandez-Oropeza AK, Sun MS, Caldwell KK, Allan AM, Savage DD, Valenzuela CF, Noor S, Milligan ED. Prenatal alcohol exposure alters mRNA expression for stress peptides, glucocorticoid receptor function and immune factors in acutely stressed neonatal brain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1203557. [PMID: 37425005 PMCID: PMC10326286 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1203557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus are critical stress regulatory areas that undergo functional maturation for stress responding initially established during gestational and early postnatal brain development. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a consequence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), results in cognitive, mood and behavioral disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure negatively impacts components of the brain stress response system, including stress-associated brain neuropeptides and glucocorticoid receptors in the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus. While PAE generates a unique brain cytokine expression pattern, little is known about the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and related proinflammatory signaling factors, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines in PAE brain stress-responsive regions. We hypothesized that PAE sensitizes the early brain stress response system resulting in dysregulated neuroendocrine and neuroimmune activation. Methods A single, 4-h exposure of maternal separation stress in male and female postnatal day 10 (PND10) C57Bl/6 offspring was utilized. Offspring were from either prenatal control exposure (saccharin) or a limited access (4 h) drinking-in-the-dark model of PAE. Immediately after stress on PND10, the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus were collected, and mRNA expression was analyzed for stress-associated factors (CRH and AVP), glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators (GAS5, FKBP51 and FKBP52), astrocyte and microglial activation, and factors associated with TLR4 activation including proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β), along with additional pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Select protein expression analysis of CRH, FKBP and factors associated with the TLR4 signaling cascade from male and female amygdala was conducted. Results The female amygdala revealed increased mRNA expression in stress-associated factors, glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators and all of the factors critical in the TLR4 activation cascade, while the hypothalamus revealed blunted mRNA expression of all of these factors in PAE following stress. Conversely, far fewer mRNA changes were observed in males, notably in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, but not the amygdala. Statistically significant increases in CRH protein, and a strong trend in increased IL-1β were observed in male offspring with PAE independent of stressor exposure. Conclusion Prenatal alcohol exposure creates stress-related factors and TLR-4 neuroimmune pathway sensitization observed predominantly in females, that is unmasked in early postnatal life by a stress challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Erin D. Milligan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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4
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Gao M(M, Brown MA, Neff D, Crowell SE, Conradt E. Prenatal paternal stress predicts infant parasympathetic functioning above and beyond maternal prenatal stress. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2022; 40:563-576. [PMID: 34176368 PMCID: PMC8710180 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2021.1941822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paternal stress is often assessed by maternal report and is posited to influence infant development indirectly by contributing to a mother's stress and experiences during pregnancy. Far less is known about how direct effects of prenatal paternal stress, as described by fathers themselves, are related to an infant's physiological functioning. We assessed fathers' own experiences of stress and examined its direct impact on infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a biological index of self-regulation, at seven-month postpartum. METHOD During the third trimester of pregnancy, the UCLA Life Stress Interview was conducted to assess chronic stress in mothers and fathers (N = 90). Infant baseline RSA and RSA reactivity in response to the Still-Face paradigm were assessed at seven-month postpartum. RESULTS Infants of fathers with high prenatal stress showed lower baseline RSA, possibly reflective of poor infant psychophysiological regulation. The predictive role of paternal stress remained significant after controlling for maternal stress. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide emerging empirical evidence to support the influence of prenatal paternal stress on infant RSA, highlighting the important role of fathers for child development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dylan Neff
- University of Utah; Department of Psychology
| | - Sheila E. Crowell
- University of Utah; Department of Psychology
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of OB/GYN, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Elisabeth Conradt
- University of Utah; Department of Psychology
- Department of OB/GYN, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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5
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Zeytinoglu S, Calkins SD, Leerkes EM. Autonomic profiles and self-regulation outcomes in early childhood. Dev Sci 2022; 25:e13215. [PMID: 34962027 PMCID: PMC9237181 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study examined autonomic profiles in preschoolers (N = 278, age = 4.7 years) and their relations to self-regulation outcomes concurrently and one year later, in kindergarten. Children's sympathetic (preejection period [PEP]) and parasympathetic activity (respiratory sinus arrythmia [RSA]) were measured at rest and during cognitive and emotional tasks. Three self-regulatory competencies were assessed: executive functions, emotion regulation and behavioral regulation. Executive functioning was measured at ages 4 and 5 using laboratory tasks designed to assess updating/working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Emotion regulation was observed during emotionally distressing tasks in the laboratory, both at ages 4 and 5. Behavioral regulation and emotional reactivity were assessed via teacher ratings in kindergarten, at age 5. Latent profile analysis yielded four autonomic profiles: moderate parasympathetic inhibition (45%), reciprocal sympathetic activation (26%), coinhibition (25%), and high sympathetic activation (7%). The reciprocal sympathetic activation group showed better executive functioning in preschool and kindergarten, particularly compared to the high sympathetic activation group. The moderate parasympathetic inhibition group showed lower emotional reactivity and better behavioral regulation in kindergarten, compared to the other three groups. Findings suggest that autonomic profiles meaningfully associate with self-regulation outcomes in early childhood, such that certain profiles relate to better self-regulation than others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Zeytinoglu
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, USA
| | - Susan D Calkins
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
| | - Esther M Leerkes
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, USA
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6
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Unique Contributions of Maternal Prenatal and Postnatal Emotion Dysregulation on Infant Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2022; 50:1219-1232. [PMID: 35267154 PMCID: PMC10041879 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal intrauterine exposures and postnatal caregiving environments may both shape the development of infant parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity. However, the relative contributions of prenatal and postnatal influences on infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)-an index of PNS functioning-are relatively unknown. We examined whether prenatal and postnatal maternal emotion dysregulation, a transdiagnostic construct that spans mental health diagnoses, were independently related to infant RSA trajectories during a social stressor, the still-face paradigm. Our sample included 104 mothers and their 7-month-old infants. Maternal emotion dysregulation was measured with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and again at a 7-month postpartum laboratory visit. Infant RSA was recorded during the still-face paradigm. Only postnatal maternal emotion dysregulation was associated with infant RSA. Specifically, high postnatal emotion dysregulation was associated with a blunted (i.e., dampened reactivity and recovery) infant RSA response profile. Infant sex did not moderate the associations between maternal emotion dysregulation and infant RSA. Findings suggest that postnatal interventions to promote effective maternal emotion regulation may reduce risk for infants' dysregulated psychophysiological stress responses.
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7
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Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Maternal caregiving moderates the impact of antenatal maternal cortisol on infant stress regulation. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:871-880. [PMID: 34787327 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests that antenatal exposure to maternal stress signals affects the development of the infant stress response systems. Animal studies indicate that maternal sensitive caregiving can reverse some of these effects. However, the generalizability of these findings to humans is unknown. This study investigated the role of maternal caregiving in the association between multiple markers of maternal antenatal stress and infant stress regulation. METHODS The sample consisted of 94 mother-infant (N = 47 males, mean postnatal weeks = 12; SD = 1.84) dyads. Maternal levels of Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), diurnal cortisol and alpha amylase, depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed in late pregnancy (mean gestational age = 34.76; SD = 1.12), whereas postnatal symptomatology, caregiving, and infant cortisol response to the inoculation were evaluated at 3 months. RESULTS Hierarchical linear models (HLMs) showed a significant interaction between maternal antenatal cortisol, caregiving, and time on infant cortisol reactivity, while controlling for gender, maternal age, and postnatal depression. Specifically, higher levels of maternal antenatal cortisol were associated with greater cortisol response only among infants of less emotionally available mothers. All other markers of antenatal stress were not significantly associated with infant cortisol reactivity either independently or in interaction with maternal caregiving. CONCLUSIONS Albeit preliminary, results provide the first evidence in humans that maternal sensitive caregiving may eliminate the association between antenatal maternal cortisol and infant cortisol regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nazzari
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Pasco Fearon
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Frances Rice
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Alessandra Frigerio
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
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8
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Rudd KL, Caron Z, Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Conradt E, Alkon A, Bush NR. The prism of reactivity: Concordance between biobehavioral domains of infant stress reactivity. Infant Behav Dev 2022; 67:101704. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2022.101704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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9
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The maternal-placental-fetal interface: Adaptations of the HPA axis and immune mediators following maternal stress and prenatal alcohol exposure. Exp Neurol 2022; 355:114121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Klimes-Dougan B, Papke V, Carosella KA, Wiglesworth A, Mirza SA, Espensen-Sturges TD, Meester C. Basal and reactive cortisol: A systematic literature review of offspring of parents with depressive and bipolar disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104528. [PMID: 35031342 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
One of the most consistent biological findings in the study of affective disorders is that those with depression commonly show abnormal cortisol response, which suggests dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Children of parents with mood disorders offer the opportunity to explore the biological pathways that may confer risk for psychopathology. This review explores basal and reactive cortisol in the offspring of parents who are currently depressed or have had a history of a depressive or bipolar disorder. Using PRISMA guidelines, search terms yielded 2002 manuscripts. After screening, 87 of these manuscripts were included. Results from the literature suggest that while the degree and direction of dysregulation varies, offspring of a parent with depression tend to show elevations in both basal (particularly morning and evening) and reactive (tentatively for social stressors) cortisol levels. There were few studies focused on offspring of parents with bipolar disorder. This review also discusses implications and recommendations for future research regarding the HPA axis in the intergenerational transmission of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Victoria Papke
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katherine A Carosella
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Andrea Wiglesworth
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Salahudeen A Mirza
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tori D Espensen-Sturges
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Christina Meester
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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11
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Moore SR, Merrill SM, Sekhon B, MacIsaac JL, Kobor MS, Giesbrecht GF, Letourneau N. Infant DNA methylation: an early indicator of intergenerational trauma? Early Hum Dev 2022; 164:105519. [PMID: 34890904 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases risk for mental and physical health problems. Intergenerationally, mothers' ACEs predict children's health problems including neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems and poorer physical health. Theories of intergenerational trauma suggest that ACEs experienced in one generation negatively affect the health and well-being of future generations, with DNA methylation (DNAm) being one of several potential biological explanations. To begin exploring this hypothesis, we tested whether infant DNA methylation associated with intergenerational trauma. Secondary analysis employed data from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. Subsample data were collected from mothers during pregnancy and postpartum on measures of distress, stress and ACEs and from infants at 3 months of age on DNAm from blood (n = 92) and buccal epithelial cells (BECs; n = 124; primarily nonoverlapping individuals between tissues). Blood and BECs were examined in separate analyses. Preliminary associations identified in blood and BECs suggest that infant DNAm patterns may relate to maternal ACEs. For the majority of ACE-related DNAm sites, neither maternal perinatal distress, nor maternal cortisol awakening response (CAR; a measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function), substantially reduced associations between maternal ACEs and infant DNAm. However, accounting for maternal perinatal distress and cortisol substantially changed the effect of ACEs in a greater proportion of blood DNAm sites than BEC DNAm sites in the top ACEs-associated correlated methylated regions (CMRs), as well as across all CMRs and all remaining CpGs (that did not fall into CMRs). Possible DNAm patterns in infants, thus, might capture a signature of maternal intergenerational trauma, and this effect appears to be more dependent on maternal perinatal distress and CAR in blood relative to BECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Moore
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah M Merrill
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bikram Sekhon
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julia L MacIsaac
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Pediatrics & Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Pediatrics & Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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12
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Between- versus within-person emotional and cognitive reactivity in relation to depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:479-487. [PMID: 34507229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theories connecting depression to emotional reactivity (ER) or cognitive reactivity (CR) have not clearly indicated whether ER and CR are between-person or within-person constructs. Most empirical tests of these theories have focused on either between- or within-person operationalizations of these constructs, but not both. Between- and within-person studies address qualitatively different questions and often generate very different results. Consequently, the goals of the current study were to examine the relation of depressive symptoms to both between- and within-person operationalizations of both ER and CR. METHODS Participants were 160 undergraduate students who completed daily diary measures (assessing stress, negative emotions, and negative cognitions) and measures of depressive symptoms. Multilevel modeling (MLM) enabled examination of depressive symptoms to the within- and between-person components of ER and CR. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were positively related to within-person ER and CR but not to between-person operationalizations of ER and CR. LIMITATIONS The sample only included college students and only assessed depressive symptoms, not clinical diagnoses of major depression. CONCLUSIONS Important implications emerge for theory, practice, and future research. We recommend distinguishing between-person from within-person dimensions of ER and CR in future research.
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13
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Braren SH, Perry RE, Ribner A, Brandes-Aitken A, Brito N, Blair C. Prenatal mother-father cortisol linkage predicts infant executive functions at 24 months. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22151. [PMID: 34674244 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated associations between prenatal mother-father cortisol linkage and infant executive functions. Data come from an international sample (N = 358) of predominantly white and middle- to upper-class first-time parents. During late pregnancy, parents collected diurnal salivary cortisol samples and reported on levels of psychological stress. At 24 months, children completed a battery of executive function tasks. Parent cortisol linkage was operationalized as the time-dependent, within-dyad association between maternal and paternal diurnal cortisol. Results indicated that prenatal linkage was positively related to infant executive functions, suggesting that stronger mother-father cortisol linkage was associated with higher executive function scores. Additionally, this relation was moderated by paternal average cortisol levels such that executive function scores were lower when fathers had higher average cortisol levels and linkage was weak. This association suggests that elevated paternal cortisol amplifies the negative relation between lower cortisol linkage and lower infant executive function scores. Importantly, these findings were observed while controlling for observational measures of caregiving and self-report measures of psychosocial functioning and infant social-emotional behavior. These results suggest that prenatal linkage of mother's and father's stress physiology plays a potentially important part in programming and regulating infant neurocognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew Ribner
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, USA
| | | | - Natalie Brito
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, USA
| | - Clancy Blair
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, USA
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- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, USA.,Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, UK.,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Leiden, The Netherlands
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14
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Merrill SM, Moore SR, Gladish N, Giesbrecht GF, Dewey D, Konwar C, MacIssac JL, Kobor MS, Letourneau NL. Paternal adverse childhood experiences: Associations with infant DNA methylation. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22174. [PMID: 34333774 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), or cumulative childhood stress exposures, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, predict later health problems in both the exposed individuals and their offspring. One potential explanation suggests exposure to early adversity predicts epigenetic modification, especially DNA methylation (DNAm), linked to later health. Stress experienced preconception by mothers may associate with DNAm in the next generation. We hypothesized that fathers' exposure to ACEs also associates with their offspring DNAm, which, to our knowledge, has not been previously explored. An epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of blood DNAm (n = 45) from 3-month-old infants was regressed onto fathers' retrospective ACEs at multiple Cytosine-phosphate-Guanosine (CpG) sites to discover associations. This accounted for infants' sex, age, ethnicity, cell type proportion, and genetic variability. Higher ACE scores associated with methylation values at eight CpGs. Post-hoc analysis found no contribution of paternal education, income, marital status, and parental postpartum depression, but did with paternal smoking and BMI along with infant sleep latency. These same CpGs also contributed to the association between paternal ACEs and offspring attention problems at 3 years. Collectively, these findings suggested there were biological associations with paternal early life adversity and offspring DNAm in infancy, potentially affecting offspring later childhood outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Merrill
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah R Moore
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicole Gladish
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chaini Konwar
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julia L MacIssac
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Vancouver, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Program in Child and Brain Development, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole L Letourneau
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Ortega VA, Mercer EM, Giesbrecht GF, Arrieta MC. Evolutionary Significance of the Neuroendocrine Stress Axis on Vertebrate Immunity and the Influence of the Microbiome on Early-Life Stress Regulation and Health Outcomes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:634539. [PMID: 33897639 PMCID: PMC8058197 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.634539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is broadly defined as the non-specific biological response to changes in homeostatic demands and is mediated by the evolutionarily conserved neuroendocrine networks of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Activation of these networks results in transient release of glucocorticoids (cortisol) and catecholamines (epinephrine) into circulation, as well as activation of sympathetic fibers innervating end organs. These interventions thus regulate numerous physiological processes, including energy metabolism, cardiovascular physiology, and immunity, thereby adapting to cope with the perceived stressors. The developmental trajectory of the stress-axis is influenced by a number of factors, including the gut microbiome, which is the community of microbes that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract immediately following birth. The gut microbiome communicates with the brain through the production of metabolites and microbially derived signals, which are essential to human stress response network development. Ecological perturbations to the gut microbiome during early life may result in the alteration of signals implicated in developmental programming during this critical window, predisposing individuals to numerous diseases later in life. The vulnerability of stress response networks to maladaptive development has been exemplified through animal models determining a causal role for gut microbial ecosystems in HPA axis activity, stress reactivity, and brain development. In this review, we explore the evolutionary significance of the stress-axis system for health maintenance and review recent findings that connect early-life microbiome disturbances to alterations in the development of stress response networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A Ortega
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,International Microbiome Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Emily M Mercer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,International Microbiome Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Owerko Centre, The Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marie-Claire Arrieta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,International Microbiome Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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16
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Irwin JL, Meyering AL, Peterson G, Glynn LM, Sandman CA, Hicks LM, Davis EP. Maternal prenatal cortisol programs the infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105106. [PMID: 33340919 PMCID: PMC9743740 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
One of the key proposed agents of fetal programming is exposure to maternal glucocorticoids. Experimental animal studies provide evidence that prenatal exposure to elevated maternal glucocorticoids has consequences for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in the offspring. There are very few direct tests of maternal glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, during human pregnancy and associations with infant cortisol reactivity. The current study examined the link between maternal prenatal cortisol trajectories and infant cortisol reactivity to the pain of inoculation in a sample of 152 mother-infant (47.4% girls) pairs. The results from the current study provide insight into fetal programming of the infant HPA axis, demonstrating that elevated prenatal maternal cortisol is associated with a larger infant cortisol response to challenge at both 6 and 12 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Irwin
- Department of Psychology, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, United States; Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, United States.
| | - Amy L Meyering
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, United States
| | - Gage Peterson
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, United States
| | - Laura M Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Curt A Sandman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Laurel M Hicks
- Renée Crown Wellness Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80302, United States
| | - Elysia Poggi Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
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17
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Sacrey LR, Raza S, Armstrong V, Brian JA, Kushki A, Smith IM, Zwaigenbaum L. Physiological measurement of emotion from infancy to preschool: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01989. [PMID: 33336555 PMCID: PMC7882167 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emotion regulation, the ability to regulate emotional responses to environmental stimuli, develops in the first years of life and plays an important role in the development of personality, social competence, and behavior. Substantial literature suggests a relationship between emotion regulation and cardiac physiology; specifically, heart rate changes in response to positive or negative emotion-eliciting stimuli. METHOD This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an in-depth examination of research that has measured physiological responding during emotional-evoking tasks in children from birth to 4 years of age. RESULTS The review had three main findings. First, meta-regressions resulted in an age-related decrease in baseline and task-related heart rate (HR) and increases in baseline and task-related respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Second, meta-analyses suggest task-related increases in HR and decreases in RSA and heart rate variability (HRV), regardless of emotional valence of the task. Third, associations between physiological responding and observed behavioral regulation are not consistently present in children aged 4 and younger. The review also provides a summary of the various methodology used to measure physiological reactions to emotional-evoking tasks, including number of sensors used and placement, various baseline and emotional-evoking tasks used, methods for extracting RSA, as well as percentage of loss and reasons for loss for each study. CONCLUSION Characterizing the physiological reactivity of typically developing children is important to understanding the role emotional regulation plays in typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori‐Ann R. Sacrey
- University of Alberta/Autism Research CentreGlenrose Rehabilitation HospitalEdmontonABCanada
| | - Sarah Raza
- University of Alberta/Autism Research CentreGlenrose Rehabilitation HospitalEdmontonABCanada
| | - Vickie Armstrong
- Dalhousie University/Autism Research CentreIWK Health CentreHalifaxNSCanada
| | - Jessica A. Brian
- University of Toronto/Autism Research CentreBloorview Research InstituteTorontoONCanada
| | - Azadeh Kushki
- University of Toronto/Autism Research CentreBloorview Research InstituteTorontoONCanada
| | - Isabel M. Smith
- Dalhousie University/Autism Research CentreIWK Health CentreHalifaxNSCanada
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- University of Alberta/Autism Research CentreGlenrose Rehabilitation HospitalEdmontonABCanada
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18
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Riis JL, Granger DA, Woo H, Voegtline K, DiPietro JA, Johnson SB. Long-Term Associations Between Prenatal Maternal Cortisol and Child Neuroendocrine-Immune Regulation. Int J Behav Med 2020; 27:267-281. [PMID: 31506880 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09814-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advancing understanding of the developmental origins of neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) functioning is key to elucidating the biological mechanisms involved in health and disease risk across the lifespan. This study examined whether prenatal maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity moderates child NEI relations and explored the consistency of this moderating effect across gestation. METHODS Pregnant women participated in five prenatal study visits from 24 to 38 weeks gestation. At each visit, women provided a saliva sample. In a 5-year follow-up study, children (nfemale = 25, nmale=20) provided four saliva samples and participated in behavioral assessments and challenge tasks. Prenatal maternal saliva samples were assayed for cortisol. Child saliva samples were assayed for cortisol and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) as indices of HPA and inflammatory activity. Multilevel mixed-effects models examined the moderation of child NEI relations by prenatal maternal cortisol. RESULTS Among males, average prenatal maternal cortisol did not moderate child NEI relations. Among females, average prenatal maternal cortisol moderated some child NEI relations with higher prenatal cortisol associated with more positive cortisol-cytokine relations at age five. When examined by gestational time point, there were more significant NEI moderation effects by maternal cortisol from later gestation (≥ 30 weeks) than earlier. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest prenatal maternal HPA activity may moderate child NEI functioning. Additional research conducted with more heterogeneous and larger samples is needed to fully understand these relations. Furthering our knowledge of NEI development has important research and clinical implications, particularly for understanding and addressing conditions with inflammatory pathophysiologies, such as depression and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L Riis
- School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Douglas A Granger
- School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Han Woo
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Janet A DiPietro
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara B Johnson
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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19
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Roubinov DS, Boyce WT, Lee MR, Bush NR. Evidence for discrete profiles of children's physiological activity across three neurobiological system and their transitions over time. Dev Sci 2020; 24:e12989. [PMID: 32416021 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The conceptualization of stress-responsive physiological systems as operating in an integrated manner is evident in several theoretical models of cross-system functioning. However, limited empirical research has modeled the complexity of multisystem activity. Moreover few studies have explored developmentally regulated changes in multisystem activity during early childhood when plasticity is particularly pronounced. The current study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to evaluate multisystem activity during fall and spring of children's transition to kindergarten in three biological systems: the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was then used to examine the stability of profile classification across time. Across both timepoints, three distinct profiles of multisystem activity emerged. One profile was characterized by heightened HPA axis activity (HPA Axis Responders), a second profile was characterized by moderate, typically adaptive patterns across the PNS, SNS, and HPA axis (Active Copers/Mobilizers), and a third profile was characterized by heightened baseline activity, particularly in the PNS and SNS (Anticipatory Arousal/ANS Responders). LTA of fall-to-spring profile classifications indicated higher probabilities that children remained in the same profile over time compared to probabilities of profile changes, suggesting stability in certain patterns of cross-system responsivity. Patterns of profile stability and change were associated with socioemotional outcomes at the end of the school year. Findings highlight the utility of LPA and LTA to detect meaningful patterns of complex multisystem physiological activity across three systems and their associations with early adjustment during an important developmental transition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William T Boyce
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, California, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, California, USA
| | - Matthew R Lee
- Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies (CAS), Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, California, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, California, USA
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20
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Messerli-Bürgy N, Meyer AH, Kakebeeke TH, Stülb K, Arhab A, Zysset AE, Leeger-Aschmann CS, Schmutz EA, Thayer JF, Groene M, Kriemler S, Jenni OG, Puder JJ, Munsch S. Cardiac vagal tone in preschool children: Interrelations and the role of stress exposure. Int J Psychophysiol 2020; 152:102-109. [PMID: 32302645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiac vagal tone has been understood as the biological correlate of emotion regulation and can be divided into emotion regulation (tonic cardiac vagal tone (TCVT)) and the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions (phasic cardiac vagal tone (PCVT)). There is evidence that TCVT influences PCVT dynamics in adults and that stress exposure impacts on cardiac vagal tone in adults and older children. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of TCVT on PCVT dynamics in preschoolers and to identify the influence of stress exposures on cardiac vagal tone. METHOD Measures of heart rate variability including baseline (TCVT), during an age-adapted stress task (PCVT stress reactivity) and during recovery (PCVT recovery) were assessed in 222 children aged 2-6 years of the SPLASHY study. Further, parents were asked to complete questionnaires on early stress exposure (including pregnancy, birth and early life) and current stress exposure (including family stress and parenting). RESULTS Preschool children with high TCVT showed less PCVT reactivity (p < 0.001) and more increase of vagal tone (PCVT) during early recovery (p = 0.016). Further only child's low birth weight was a relevant stress exposure impacting on early and late PCVT recovery (p = 0.03/p = 0.005). None of the other early or late stress exposure conditions, nor the accumulation of stress exposures influenced TCVT or PCVT dynamics in these healthy preschoolers. DISCUSSION TCVT impacts on PCVT dynamics in a lab-based stress task in healthy preschool children and only low birth weight is related to more change during early and to less late PCVT recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Messerli-Bürgy
- Clinical Child Psychology & Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea H Meyer
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; Department for Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Tanja H Kakebeeke
- Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Kerstin Stülb
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Amar Arhab
- Obstetric Service, Department Women-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Annina E Zysset
- Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | | | - Einat A Schmutz
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Julian F Thayer
- Department of Psychological Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, University of California, Irvine, United States.
| | - Mareike Groene
- Clinical Child Psychology & Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Susi Kriemler
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Oskar G Jenni
- Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jardena J Puder
- Obstetric Service, Department Women-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Simone Munsch
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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21
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Lobmaier SM, Müller A, Zelgert C, Shen C, Su PC, Schmidt G, Haller B, Berg G, Fabre B, Weyrich J, Wu HT, Frasch MG, Antonelli MC. Fetal heart rate variability responsiveness to maternal stress, non-invasively detected from maternal transabdominal ECG. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019; 301:405-414. [PMID: 31781889 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-019-05390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prenatal stress (PS) during pregnancy affects in utero- and postnatal child brain-development. Key systems affected are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Maternal- and fetal ANS activity can be gauged non-invasively from transabdominal electrocardiogram (taECG). We propose a novel approach to assess couplings between maternal (mHR) and fetal heart rate (fHR) as a new biomarker for PS based on bivariate phase-rectified signal averaging (BPRSA). We hypothesized that PS exerts lasting impact on fHR. METHODS Prospective case-control study matched for maternal age, parity, and gestational age during the third trimester using the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire with PSS-10 over or equal 19 classified as stress group (SG). Women with PSS-10 < 19 served as control group (CG). Fetal electrocardiograms were recorded by a taECG. Coupling between mHR and fHR was analyzed by BPRSA resulting in fetal stress index (FSI). Maternal hair cortisol, a memory of chronic stress exposure for 2-3 months, was measured at birth. RESULTS 538/1500 pregnant women returned the questionnaire, 55/538 (10.2%) mother-child pairs formed SG and were matched with 55/449 (12.2%) consecutive patients as CG. Maternal hair cortisol was 86.6 (48.0-169.2) versus 53.0 (34.4-105.9) pg/mg (p = 0.029). At 36 + 5 weeks, FSI was significantly higher in fetuses of stressed mothers when compared to controls [0.43 (0.18-0.85) versus 0.00 (- 0.49-0.18), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION Prenatal maternal stress affects the coupling between maternal and fetal heart rate detectable non-invasively a month prior to birth. Lasting effects on neurodevelopment of affected offspring should be studied. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trial registration: NCT03389178.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia M Lobmaier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
| | - A Müller
- Innere Medizin I, Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C Zelgert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - C Shen
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - P C Su
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - G Schmidt
- Innere Medizin I, Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - B Haller
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Berg
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia Y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - B Fabre
- Facultad de Farmacia Y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología Y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Weyrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - H T Wu
- Department of Mathematics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.,Mathematics Division, National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - M G Frasch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - M C Antonelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.,Instituto de Biología Celular Y Neurociencia "Prof. E. De Robertis", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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22
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Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Dottori N, Ciceri F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Beyond the HPA-axis: Exploring maternal prenatal influences on birth outcomes and stress reactivity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 101:253-262. [PMID: 30497017 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that antenatal maternal stress is associated with altered behavioral and physiological outcomes in the offspring, however, whether this association is causal and the underlying biological mechanisms remain largely unknown. While the most studied mediator of maternal stress influences on the fetus has generally been cortisol, alternative novel markers of stress or inflammation warrant further consideration. The current investigation explored the influence of variations in self-reported symptoms of distress, stress hormones and inflammatory markers on infant birth outcomes and early stress regulation. The sample consisted of 104 pregnant women (mean gestational age = 34.76; SD = 1.12) and their healthy newborns. Maternal self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and levels of serum Interleukine-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), salivary cortisol and alpha amylase (sAA) were measured in late pregnancy. Newborns' cortisol and behavioral response to the heel-stick was assessed 48-72 hours after birth. The associations between maternal stress measures and infant birth outcomes and stress reactivity, adjusted for potential confounders, were examined through hierarchical linear regressions and hierarchical linear models. Higher maternal IL-6 levels were associated with smaller head circumference at birth, while diurnal sAA levels were positively associated with birthweight. Maternal diurnal cortisol was related to newborn's stress reactivity: a flatter infant cortisol response to the heel-stick was associated with greater maternal cortisol increases after awakening during pregnancy, while greater infant behavioural reactivity was related to a flatter maternal diurnal cortisol profile. The observational nature of these data does not allow for causal inferences but the current findings illustrate that antenatal factors related to alterations in maternal stress and immune response systems are associated with fetal growth and neonatal stress reactivity. This may have implications for later health and psychological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nazzari
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy.
| | - P Fearon
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - F Rice
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - N Dottori
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - F Ciceri
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - M Molteni
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - A Frigerio
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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23
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Krishnaveni GV, Srinivasan K. Maternal Nutrition and Offspring Stress Response-Implications for Future Development of Non-Communicable Disease: A Perspective From India. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:795. [PMID: 31736810 PMCID: PMC6829676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is recognized as a major modifiable risk factor for adult non-communicable disease (NCD) that includes depression, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity resulting in either exaggerated or blunted cortisol responses, and altered autonomic cardiovascular control have been thought to underlie this association. The developmental origins hypothesis proposes that impaired nutrition during fetal and early postnatal growth is associated with a higher NCD risk later in life. Maternal nutrients are vital for fetal growth and development, and both maternal undernutrition and over nutrition as in the case of gestational diabetes are associated with higher NCD risk markers in the offspring. Recent studies suggest that fetal exposure to maternal nutritional imbalances may permanently alter cortisol and cardio-sympathetic stress-responsiveness, which may link early life nutrition with adult disease risk. A few recent studies that examined the association between low birth weight as a marker of fetal undernutrition and stress response in humans showed that lower birth weight was associated with an altered HPA axis and cardiovascular sympathetic nervous system responses to stress in adults as well as in children. In addition, altered stress responses in relation to gestational diabetes have been noted. In this paper, we present available evidence from India for the association between maternal nutrition and offspring stress responsiveness against the backdrop of global evidence, and discuss its role in the escalating NCD rates in this population. We also discuss the scope for future studies in India and other transitioning countries.
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24
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Bleker LS, van Dammen L, Leeflang MMG, Limpens J, Roseboom TJ, de Rooij SR. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system reactivity in children prenatally exposed to maternal depression: A systematic review of prospective studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 117:243-252. [PMID: 30366609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a common condition affecting up to 20% of all pregnant women, and is associated with subsequent developmental and behavioral problems in children, such as conduct disorder and ADHD. One proposed mechanism underlying these associations is modification of the fetal hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), resulting in altered responses to stress. This review examined the evidence regarding altered HPA-axis and ANS reactivity in children prenatally exposed to high maternal depressive symptoms. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO, for studies published till 25 July 2017. A total of 13 studies comprising 2271 mother-infant dyads were included. None of the studies were suitable for meta-analysis. Risk of bias assessment showed low risk for four studies. Only three studies described an independent association between exposure to high maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and altered stress reactivity in children. There is limited evidence of an independent association between prenatal exposure to maternal depression and altered HPA or ANS reactivity in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Bleker
- Academic Medical Centre, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lotte van Dammen
- University of Groningen - University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen - University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska M G Leeflang
- Academic Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Limpens
- Academic Medical Centre, Department of Research Support - Medical Library, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Academic Medical Centre, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne R de Rooij
- Academic Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Messerli-Bürgy N, Arhab A, Stülb K, Kakebeeke TH, Zysset AE, Leeger-Aschmann CS, Schmutz EA, Ehlert U, Kriemler S, Jenni OG, Munsch S, Puder JJ. Physiological stress measures in preschool children and their relationship with body composition and behavioral problems. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:1009-1022. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Messerli-Bürgy
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy; University of Fribourg; Fribourg Switzerland
- Department of Psychology; University of Fribourg; Fribourg Switzerland
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Service; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Amar Arhab
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Service; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV); Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Stülb
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy; University of Fribourg; Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Tanja H. Kakebeeke
- Child Development Center; University Children's Hospital Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
- Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Annina E. Zysset
- Child Development Center; University Children's Hospital Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | | | - Einat A. Schmutz
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- Department of Psychology - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Susi Kriemler
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Oskar G. Jenni
- Child Development Center; University Children's Hospital Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
- Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Simone Munsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy; University of Fribourg; Fribourg Switzerland
| | - Jardena J. Puder
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Service; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV); Lausanne Switzerland
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Obesity; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV); Lausanne Switzerland
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26
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Jones-Mason K, Alkon A, Coccia M, Bush NR. Autonomic nervous system functioning assessed during the Still-Face Paradigm: A meta-analysis and systematic review of methods, approach and findings. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2018; 50:113-139. [PMID: 33707809 DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animal and human research suggests that the development of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is particularly sensitive to early parenting experiences. The Still-Face Paradigm (SFP), one of the most widely used measures to assess infant reactivity and emotional competence, evokes infant self-regulatory responses to parental interaction and disengagement. This systematic review of 33 peer-reviewed studies identifies patterns of parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous system activity demonstrated by infants under one year of age during the SFP and describes findings within the context of sample demographic characteristics, study methodologies, and analyses conducted. A meta-analysis of a subset of 14 studies with sufficient available respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) data examined whether the SFP reliably elicited PNS withdrawal (RSA decrease) during parental disengagement or PNS recovery (RSA increase) during reunion, and whether results differed by socioeconomic status (SES). Across SES, the meta-analysis confirmed that RSA decreased during the still-face episode and increased during reunion. When studies were stratified by SES, low-SES or high-risk groups also showed RSA decreases during the still face episode but failed to show an increase in RSA during reunion. Few studies have examined SNS activity during the SFP to date, preventing conclusions in that domain. The review also identified multiple qualifications to patterns of SFP ANS findings, including those that differed by ethnicity, infant sex, parental sensitivity, and genetics. Strengths and weaknesses in the extant research that may explain some of the variation in findings across the literature are also discussed, and suggestions for strengthening future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
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Segal L, Guy S, Furber G. What is the current level of mental health service delivery and expenditure on infants, children, adolescents, and young people in Australia? Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2018; 52:163-172. [PMID: 28709383 DOI: 10.1177/0004867417717796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aim was to estimate the current level of ambulatory mental health service delivery to young people aged 0-24 years in Australia and associated government expenditure. Recognising the importance of the early years for the development of mental illness and socioeconomic outcomes, we were particularly interested in service access by infants and young children. METHODS We extracted information from government administrative datasets on the number of people who received mental health services, number of services and expenditure through the health sector for 2014-2015. Results are primarily reported by age groups 0-4, 5-11, 12-17 and 18-24 years. RESULTS Less than 1% of 0- to 4-year-olds received a mental health service in any one service setting, whereas nearly 11% of 18- to 24-year-olds received a mental health service through the Medicare Benefits Schedule Better Access programme alone. Many more services were delivered to 12- to 24-year-olds (>4 million) than to 0- to 11-year-olds (552,000). Medicare Benefits Schedule Better Access delivers services to more children and youth than do state/territory community mental health services, although the latter provide more services per client. In 2013-2014, Australian Government expenditure on ambulatory mental health services for 0- to 24-year-olds was AUD428 million, similar to the AUD491 million spent by state/territory governments. CONCLUSION The study provides a benchmark for data-driven service planning to ensure that the mental health needs of infants, children and young people are met. Our results indicate that the youngest age group are underserviced relative to need, even noting infants and children may receive services for behavioural/mental health issues from providers not captured in our study (such as paediatricians). The developmental origins of mental illness underlies the urgency of adequate provision by governments of perinatal, infant and child mental health services to avoid loss of life potential and reduce the pressures on the justice, child protection and welfare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Segal
- Health Economics and Social Policy Group, Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sophie Guy
- Health Economics and Social Policy Group, Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gareth Furber
- Health Economics and Social Policy Group, Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Bush NR, Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Caron Z, Alkon A, Thomas M, Coleman-Phox K, Wadhwa PD, Laraia BA, Adler NE, Epel ES. Effects of pre- and postnatal maternal stress on infant temperament and autonomic nervous system reactivity and regulation in a diverse, low-income population. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 29:1553-1571. [PMID: 29162167 PMCID: PMC5726291 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417001237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We examined the prospective associations of objective and subjective measures of stress during pregnancy with infant stress reactivity and regulation, an early-life predictor of psychopathology. In a racially and ethnically diverse low-income sample of 151 mother-infant dyads, maternal reports of stressful life events (SLE) and perceived stress (PS) were collected serially over gestation and the early postpartum period. Infant reactivity and regulation at 6 months of age was assessed via maternal report of temperament (negativity, surgency, and regulation) and infant parasympathetic nervous system physiology (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) during the Still Face Paradigm. Regression models predicting infant temperament showed higher maternal prenatal PS predicted lower surgency and self-regulation but not negativity. Regression models predicting infant physiology showed higher numbers of SLE during gestation predicted greater RSA reactivity and weaker recovery. Tests of interactions revealed SLE predicted RSA reactivity only at moderate to high levels of PS. Thus, findings suggest objective and subjective measures of maternal prenatal stress uniquely predict infant behavior and physiology, adjusting for key pre- and postnatal covariates, and advance the limited evidence for such prenatal programming within high-risk populations. Assessing multiple levels of maternal stress and offspring stress reactivity and regulation provides a richer picture of intergenerational transmission of adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R. Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Zoe Caron
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Abbey Alkon
- Department of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Melanie Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Kim Coleman-Phox
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Pathik D. Wadhwa
- School of Medicine, Development, Health and Disease Research Program, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Nancy E. Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, Weill Neurosciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco
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Gray SA, Jones CW, Theall KP, Glackin E, Drury SS. Thinking Across Generations: Unique Contributions of Maternal Early Life and Prenatal Stress to Infant Physiology. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:922-929. [PMID: 29096774 PMCID: PMC5939998 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a parasympathetic-mediated biomarker of self-regulation linked to lifespan mental and physical health outcomes. Intergenerational impacts of mothers' exposure to prenatal stress have been demonstrated, but evidence for biological embedding of maternal preconception stress, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), on infant RSA is lacking. We examine the independent effects of maternal ACEs and prenatal stress on infant RSA, seeking to broaden the understanding of the earliest origins of mental and physical health risk. METHOD Mothers reported on ACEs and prenatal stress. RSA was recorded in a sample of 167 4-month-old infants (49% female and 51% male) during a dyadic stressor, the Still Face Paradigm. RESULTS Independent contributions of maternal ACEs and prenatal stress to infant RSA were observed. High maternal ACEs were associated with lower RSA, whereas prenatal stress was associated with failure to recover following the stressor. Sex but not race differences were observed. Prenatal stress was associated with higher RSA among boys but lower RSA among girls. CONCLUSION Infants' RSA is affected by mothers' life course experiences of stress, with ACEs predicting a lower set point and prenatal stress dampening recovery from stress. For prenatal stress but not ACEs, patterns vary across sex. Findings underscore that stress-reducing interventions for pregnant women or those considering pregnancy may lead to decreased physical and mental health risk across generations.
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Rudd KL, Alkon A, Yates TM. Prospective relations between intrusive parenting and child behavior problems: Differential moderation by parasympathetic nervous system regulation and child sex. Physiol Behav 2017; 180:120-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Howland MA, Sandman CA, Glynn LM. Developmental origins of the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2017; 12:321-339. [PMID: 30058893 PMCID: PMC6334849 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2017.1356222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The developmental origins of disease or fetal programming model predicts that intrauterine exposures have life long consequences for physical and psychological health. Prenatal programming of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is proposed as a primary mechanism by which early experiences are linked to later disease risk. Areas covered: This review describes the development of the fetal HPA axis, which is determined by an intricately timed cascade of endocrine events during gestation and is regulated by an integrated maternal-placental-fetal steroidogenic unit. Mechanisms by which stress-induced elevations in hormones of maternal, fetal, or placental origin influence the structure and function of the emerging fetal HPA axis are discussed. Recent prospective studies documenting persisting associations between prenatal stress exposures and altered postnatal HPA axis function are summarized, with effects observed beginning in infancy into adulthood. Expert commentary: The results of these studies are synthesized, and potential moderating factors are discussed. Promising areas of further research highlighted include epigenetic mechanisms and interactions between pre and postnatal influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann A. Howland
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Curt A. Sandman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Laura M. Glynn
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA
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Tomasdottir MO, Kristjansdottir H, Bjornsdottir A, Getz L, Steingrimsdottir T, Olafsdottir OA, Sigurdsson JA. History of violence and subjective health of mother and child. Scand J Prim Health Care 2016; 34:394-400. [PMID: 27822978 PMCID: PMC5217285 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2016.1249060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the self-reported prevalence of experienced violence among a cohort of women about two years after giving birth, their health during pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and their experience of their child's health. SETTING AND SUBJECTS In 2011, a total of 657 women participated in phase III of the Childbirth and Health Cohort Study in Icelandic Primary Health Care, 18 to 24 months after delivery. The women had previously participated in phase I around pregnancy week 16 and phase II 5-6 months after delivery. Data were collected by postal questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Women's reported history of experienced violence, sociodemographic and obstetric background, self-perceived health, the use of medications and their child's perceived health. RESULTS In phase III, 16% of women reported experiencing violence. These women felt less support from their current partner (p < 0.001), compared to those who did not report violence. Their pregnancies were more frequently unplanned (p < 0.001), deliveries more often by caesarean section (p < 0.05), and their self-perceived health was worse (p < 0.001). They reported more mental and somatic health complaints, and their use of antidepressant drugs was higher (p < 0.001). Furthermore, women with a history of violence considered their child's general health as worse (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that a history of violence is common among women. A history of violence is associated with various maternal health problems during and after pregnancy, a higher rate of caesarean sections and maternal reports of health problems in their child 18-24 months after birth. KEY POINTS Violence is a major concern worldwide. Understanding the impact of violence on human health and developing effective preventive measures are important elements of any public health agenda. • The reported prevalence of experiencing violence was 16% among women attending antenatal care in the primary health care setting in Iceland. • Women with a history of violence reported worse health in general during pregnancy and delivered more often by caesarean section, compared to women with no such history. • Mothers with a history of violence also evaluated the general health of their child as worse than women with no such history. • The findings of this study support the importance of recognizing and addressing experienced violence among women in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margret O. Tomasdottir
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Center of Development, Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, Reykjavik, Iceland
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- CONTACT Margret Olafia Tomasdottir Department of Family Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Linn Getz
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Thora Steingrimsdottir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Landspitali University Hospital, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland
| | | | - Johann A. Sigurdsson
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Center of Development, Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, Reykjavik, Iceland
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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