1
|
Pawluski JL. The parental brain, perinatal mental illness, and treatment: A review of key structural and functional changes. Semin Perinatol 2024; 48:151951. [PMID: 39030131 DOI: 10.1016/j.semperi.2024.151951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood is perhaps the only time in adult life when the brain changes to such a significant degree in such a short period, particularly in birthing parents. It is also a time when there is an increased risk of developing a mental illness, which may be due, in part, to the increased neuroplasticity. Thus, we must develop interventions and treatments that support parents and promote parental brain health. This review will highlight key findings from current research on how human brain structure and function are modified with 1) the transition to parenthood, 2) parenting stress and perinatal mental illness, and 3) treatments aimed at promoting perinatal mental health. The focus will be on birthing parents and mothers, but brain changes in non-birthing parents will also be discussed. Improvements in our understanding of the parental brain, in health and with illness, will promote the well-being of generations to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang K, He L, Li Z, Ding R, Han X, Chen B, Cao G, Ye JH, Li T, Fu R. Bridging Neurobiological Insights and Clinical Biomarkers in Postpartum Depression: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8835. [PMID: 39201521 PMCID: PMC11354679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168835] [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: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 174 million women worldwide and is characterized by profound sadness, anxiety, irritability, and debilitating fatigue, which disrupt maternal caregiving and the mother-infant relationship. Limited pharmacological interventions are currently available. Our understanding of the neurobiological pathophysiology of PPD remains incomplete, potentially hindering the development of novel treatment strategies. Recent hypotheses suggest that PPD is driven by a complex interplay of hormonal changes, neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammation, genetic factors, psychosocial stressors, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. This narrative review examines recent clinical studies on PPD within the past 15 years, emphasizing advancements in neuroimaging findings and blood biomarker detection. Additionally, we summarize recent laboratory work using animal models to mimic PPD, focusing on hormone withdrawal, HPA axis dysfunction, and perinatal stress theories. We also revisit neurobiological results from several brain regions associated with negative emotions, such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. These insights aim to improve our understanding of PPD's neurobiological mechanisms, guiding future research for better early detection, prevention, and personalized treatment strategies for women affected by PPD and their families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keyi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Lingxuan He
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Zhuoen Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Ruxuan Ding
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Xiaojiao Han
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Bingqing Chen
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Guoxin Cao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Jiang-Hong Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (K.Z.); (L.H.); (Z.L.); (R.D.); (X.H.); (B.C.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rotondi V, Allegra M, Kashyap R, Barban N, Sironi M, Reverberi C. Enduring maternal brain changes and their role in mediating motherhood's impact on well-being. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16608. [PMID: 39025996 PMCID: PMC11258333 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67316-y] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Parenthood, particularly motherhood, is known to impact the structure and function of the brain in the short term, but the long-term effects of parenthood and their impacts on well-being are still poorly understood. This study explores the potential longer-term associations between parenthood and the brain, parenthood and well-being, and the potential role of brain modifications in influencing mothers' well-being. Using data from the UK Biobank, which includes brain imaging information from individuals aged 45-82 at the MRI scanning, we discovered differences in brain structure between mothers and non-mothers, with mothers exhibiting widely distributed higher gray matter density, particularly strong in frontal and occipital regions. No brain changes were observed in fathers. Parents reported a higher sense of life's meaning compared to their childless counterparts. Gray matter changes did not mediate the relationship between motherhood and well-being. This suggests that the alterations in gray matter associated with motherhood do not play a deterministic role in shaping long-term changes in well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Rotondi
- SUPSI, Lugano, Switzerland.
- University of Oxford & Nuffield College, Oxford, UK.
- Milan Center for Neuroscience - NeuroMI, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | - Carlo Reverberi
- Milan Center for Neuroscience - NeuroMI, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bradshaw JL, Wilson EN, Gardner JJ, Mabry S, Tucker SM, Rybalchenko N, Vera E, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Pregnancy-induced oxidative stress and inflammation are not associated with impaired maternal neuronal activity or memory function. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2024; 327:R35-R45. [PMID: 38708544 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00026.2024] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with neural and behavioral plasticity, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress, yet the impact of inflammation and oxidative stress on maternal neural and behavioral plasticity during pregnancy is unclear. We hypothesized that healthy pregnancy transiently reduces learning and memory and these deficits are associated with pregnancy-induced elevations in inflammation and oxidative stress. Cognitive performance was tested with novel object recognition (recollective memory), Morris water maze (spatial memory), and open field (anxiety-like) behavior tasks in female Sprague-Dawley rats of varying reproductive states [nonpregnant (nulliparous), pregnant (near term), and 1-2 mo after pregnancy (primiparous); n = 7 or 8/group]. Plasma and CA1 proinflammatory cytokines were measured with a MILLIPLEX magnetic bead assay. Plasma oxidative stress was measured via advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) assay. CA1 markers of oxidative stress, neuronal activity, and apoptosis were quantified via Western blot analysis. Our results demonstrate that CA1 oxidative stress-associated markers were elevated in pregnant compared with nulliparous rats (P ≤ 0.017) but there were equivalent levels in pregnant and primiparous rats. In contrast, reproductive state did not impact CA1 inflammatory cytokines, neuronal activity, or apoptosis. Likewise, there was no effect of reproductive state on recollective or spatial memory. Even so, spatial learning was impaired (P ≤ 0.007) whereas anxiety-like behavior (P ≤ 0.034) was reduced in primiparous rats. Overall, our data suggest that maternal hippocampal CA1 is protected from systemic inflammation but vulnerable to peripartum oxidative stress. Peripartum oxidative stress elevations, such as in pregnancy complications, may contribute to peripartum neural and behavioral plasticity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Healthy pregnancy is associated with elevated maternal systemic and brain oxidative stress. During postpregnancy, brain oxidative stress remains elevated whereas systemic oxidative stress is resolved. This sustained maternal brain oxidative stress is associated with learning impairments and decreased anxiety-like behavior during the postpregnancy period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bradshaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - E Nicole Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Jennifer J Gardner
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Steve Mabry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Selina M Tucker
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Nataliya Rybalchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Edward Vera
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Styliani Goulopoulou
- Lawrence D. Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Departments of Basic Sciences, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dufford A, Patterson G, Kim P. Longitudinal Neuroanatomical Increases from Early to One-Year Postpartum. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4432804. [PMID: 38883787 PMCID: PMC11178002 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4432804/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Preclinical studies have provided causal evidence that the postpartum period involves regional neuroanatomical changes in 'maternal' brain regions to support the transition to offspring caregiving. Few studies, in humans, have examined neuroanatomical changes from early to one-year postpartum with longitudinal neuroimaging data and their association with postpartum mood changes. In this study, we examined longitudinal changes in surface morphometry (cortical thickness and surface area) in regions previously implicated in the transition to parenthood. We also examined longitudinal volumetric neuroanatomical changes in three subcortical regions of the maternal brain: the hippocampus, amygdala, and ventral diencephalon. Twenty-four participants underwent longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging at 2-4 weeks and 1 year postpartum. Cortical thickness increased from early to one-year postpartum in the left (p = .003, Bonferroni corrected) and right (p = .02, Bonferroni corrected) superior frontal gyrus. No significant increases (or decreases) were observed in these regions for surface area. Volumetric increases, across the postpartum period, were found in the left amygdala (p = .001, Bonferroni corrected) and right ventral diencephalon (p = .01, Bonferroni corrected). An exploratory analysis of depressive symptoms found reductions in depressive symptoms from early postpartum to one-year postpartum were associated with greater cortical thickness in the superior frontal gyrus for both the left (p = .02) and right (p = .02) hemispheres. The findings expand our evidence of the neuroanatomical changes that occur across the postpartum period in humans and motivate future studies to examine how mood changes across this period are associated with cortical thickness of the superior frontal gyrus.
Collapse
|
6
|
Cárdenas SI, Waizman Y, Truong V, Sellery P, Stoycos SA, Yeh FC, Rajagopalan V, Saxbe DE. White matter microstructure organization across the transition to fatherhood. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 67:101374. [PMID: 38615555 PMCID: PMC11021911 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101374] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition to parenthood remains an understudied window of potential neuroplasticity in the adult brain. White matter microstructural (WMM) organization, which reflects structural connectivity in the brain, has shown plasticity across the lifespan. No studies have examined how WMM organization changes from the prenatal to postpartum period in men becoming fathers. This study investigates WMM organization in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood. We performed diffusion-weighted imaging to identify differences in WMM organization, as indexed by fractional anisotropy (FA). We also investigated whether FA changes were associated with fathers' postpartum mental health. Associations between mental health and WMM organization have not been rarely examined in parents, who may be vulnerable to mental health problems. Fathers exhibited reduced FA at the whole-brain level, especially in the cingulum, a tract associated with emotional regulation. Fathers also displayed reduced FA in the corpus callosum, especially in the forceps minor, which is implicated in cognitive functioning. Postpartum depressive symptoms were linked with increases and decreases in FA, but FA was not correlated with perceived or parenting stress. Findings provide novel insight into fathers' WMM organization during the transition to parenthood and suggest postpartum depression may be linked with fathers' neuroplasticity during the transition to parenthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia I Cárdenas
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Yael Waizman
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Van Truong
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Pia Sellery
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Sarah A Stoycos
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Fang-Cheng Yeh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Vidya Rajagopalan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Orchard ER, Chopra S, Ooi LQR, Chen P, An L, Jamadar SD, Yeo BTT, Rutherford HJV, Holmes AJ. Protective role of parenthood on age-related brain function in mid- to late-life. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592382. [PMID: 38746272 PMCID: PMC11092769 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The experience of parenthood can profoundly alter one's body, mind, and environment, yet we know little about the long-term associations between parenthood and brain function and aging in adulthood. Here, we investigate the link between number of children parented (parity) and age on brain function in 19,964 females and 17,607 males from the UK Biobank. In both females and males, increased parity was positively associated with functional connectivity, particularly within the somato/motor network. Critically, the spatial topography of parity-linked effects was inversely correlated with the impact of age on functional connectivity across the brain for both females and males, suggesting that a higher number of children is associated with patterns of brain function in the opposite direction to age-related alterations. These results indicate that the changes accompanying parenthood may confer benefits to brain health across the lifespan, highlighting the importance of future work to understand the associated mechanisms.
Collapse
|
8
|
Faraji M, Viera-Resto OA, Setlow B, Bizon JL. Effects of reproductive experience on cost-benefit decision making in female rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1304408. [PMID: 38352625 PMCID: PMC10863065 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1304408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Many individuals undergo mating and/or other aspects of reproductive experience at some point in their lives, and pregnancy and childbirth in particular are associated with alterations in the prevalence of several psychiatric disorders. Research in rodents shows that maternal experience affects spatial learning and other aspects of hippocampal function. In contrast, there has been little work in animal models concerning how reproductive experience affects cost-benefit decision making, despite the relevance of this aspect of cognition for psychiatric disorders. To begin to address this issue, reproductively experienced (RE) and reproductively naïve (RN) female Long-Evans rats were tested across multiple tasks that assess different forms of cost-benefit decision making. In a risky decision-making task, in which rats chose between a small, safe food reward and a large food reward accompanied by variable probabilities of punishment, RE females chose the large risky reward significantly more frequently than RN females (greater risk taking). In an intertemporal choice task, in which rats chose between a small, immediate food reward and a large food reward delivered after a variable delay period, RE females chose the large reward less frequently than RN females. Together, these results show distinct effects of reproductive experience on different forms of cost-benefit decision making in female rats, and highlight reproductive status as a variable that could influence aspects of cognition relevant for psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojdeh Faraji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Omar A. Viera-Resto
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Bizon
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bradshaw JL, Wilson EN, Gardner JJ, Mabry S, Tucker SM, Rybalchenko N, Vera E, Goulopoulou S, Cunningham RL. Pregnancy-associated oxidative stress and inflammation are not associated with impaired maternal neuronal activity or memory function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577461. [PMID: 38328246 PMCID: PMC10849653 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with neural and behavioral plasticity, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Yet, the impact of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress on maternal neural and behavioral plasticity during pregnancy are unclear. We hypothesized that the maternal hippocampal CA1, a brain region associated with cognition, would be protected from pregnancy-associated systemic elevations in inflammation and oxidative stress, mediating stable peripartum cognitive performance. Cognitive performance was tested using novel object recognition (recollective memory), Morris water maze (spatial memory), and open field (anxiety-like) behavior tasks in female Sprague-Dawley rats of varying reproductive states [non-pregnant (nulliparous), pregnant (near term), and two months post-pregnancy (primiparous); n = 7-8/group]. Plasma and CA1 proinflammatory cytokines were measured using a MILLIPLEX® magnetic bead assay. Plasma oxidative stress was measured via advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) assay. CA1 markers of oxidative stress, neuronal activity, and apoptosis were quantified via western blotting. Our results demonstrate CA1 oxidative stress-associated markers were elevated in pregnant compared to nulliparous rats ( p ≤ 0.017) but were equivalent levels in pregnant and primiparous rats. In contrast, reproductive state did not impact CA1 inflammatory cytokines, neuronal activity, or apoptosis. Likewise, there was no effect of reproductive state on recollective or spatial memory. Even so, spatial learning was impaired ( p ≤ 0.007) while anxiety-like behavior ( p ≤ 0.034) was reduced in primiparous rats. Overall, our data suggest maternal hippocampal CA1 is protected from systemic inflammation but vulnerable to peripartum oxidative stress. Thus, peripartum oxidative stress elevations, such as in pregnancy complications, may contribute to peripartum neural and behavioral plasticity.
Collapse
|
10
|
Howland MA. Recalibration of the stress response system over adult development: Is there a perinatal recalibration period? Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:2315-2337. [PMID: 37641984 PMCID: PMC10901284 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000998] [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] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
During early life-sensitive periods (i.e., fetal, infancy), the developing stress response system adaptively calibrates to match environmental conditions, whether harsh or supportive. Recent evidence suggests that puberty is another window when the stress system is open to recalibration if environmental conditions have shifted significantly. Whether additional periods of recalibration exist in adulthood remains to be established. The present paper draws parallels between childhood (re)calibration periods and the perinatal period to hypothesize that this phase may be an additional window of stress recalibration in adult life. Specifically, the perinatal period (defined here to include pregnancy, lactation, and early parenthood) is also a developmental switch point characterized by heightened neural plasticity and marked changes in stress system function. After discussing these similarities, lines of empirical evidence needed to substantiate the perinatal stress recalibration hypothesis are proposed, and existing research support is reviewed. Complexities and challenges related to delineating the boundaries of perinatal stress recalibration and empirically testing this hypothesis are discussed, as well as possibilities for future multidisciplinary research. In the theme of this special issue, perinatal stress recalibration may be a mechanism of multilevel, multisystem risk, and resilience, both intra-individually and intergenerationally, with implications for optimizing interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariann A Howland
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duarte-Guterman P, Richard JE, Lieblich SE, Eid RS, Lamers Y, Galea LAM. Cellular and molecular signatures of motherhood in the adult and ageing rat brain. Open Biol 2023; 13:230217. [PMID: 37989220 PMCID: PMC10681025 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is marked by robust changes, including brain changes to volume, structure, connectivity and neuroplasticity. Although some brain changes are restricted to pregnancy and the postpartum, others are long-lasting. Few studies have examined possible mechanisms of these changes or the effects of multiple pregnancies. We characterized various cellular and molecular signatures of parity (nulliparous, primiparous, biparous) in the rat hippocampus. We investigated density of neural stems cells (Sox2), microglia (Iba-1) and levels of a synaptic protein (PSD-95), cell signalling pathways, neuroinflammation, and the tryptophan-kynurenine (TRP-KYN) pathway, one week after weaning their pups from the last pregnancy (age of dam: seven months) and in middle-age (age of dam: 13 months). Parity increased PSD-95 levels in both age groups and prevented the age-related decrease in neural stem cell density observed in nulliparous rats. Biparity increased cell signalling phosphoproteins (pp70S6K, S6RP) and number of microglia in the dentate gyrus, regardless of age. Parity resulted in transient changes to the TRP-KYN system. Thus, previous parity has lasting effects on synaptic plasticity with fewer lasting effects on inflammation and cell signalling phosphoproteins in the whole hippocampus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. Duarte-Guterman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - J. E. Richard
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - S. E. Lieblich
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - R. S. Eid
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Y. Lamers
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute for Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - L. A. M. Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Campagna MP, Lechner-Scott J, Maltby VE, Lea RA, Butzkueven H, Jokubaitis VG. Conceiving complexity: Biological mechanisms underpinning the lasting effect of pregnancy on multiple sclerosis outcomes. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103388. [PMID: 37352902 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, demyelinating disease with the highest incidence in women of childbearing age. The effect of pregnancy on disease activity and progression is a primary concern for women with MS and their clinical teams. It is well established that inflammatory disease activity is naturally suppressed during pregnancy, followed by an increase postpartum. However, the long-term effect of pregnancy on disease progression is less understood. Having had a pregnancy before MS onset has been associated with an older age at first demyelinating event, an average delay of 3.4 years. After MS onset, there is conflicting evidence about the impact of pregnancy on long-term outcomes. The study with the longest follow-up to date showed that pregnancy was associated with a 0.36-point lower disability score after 10-years of disease in 1830 women. Understanding the biological mechanism by which pregnancy induces long-term beneficial effects on MS outcomes could provide mechanistic insights into the elusive determinants of secondary progression. Here, we review potential biological processes underlying this effect, including evidence that acute sex hormone exposure induces lasting changes to neurobiological and DNA methylation patterns, and how sustained methylation changes in immune cells can alter immune composition and function long-term.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Campagna
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jeannette Lechner-Scott
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vicki E Maltby
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rodney A Lea
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vilija G Jokubaitis
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yang F, Liu R, He S, Ruan S, He B, Li J, Pan L. Being a morning man has causal effects on the cerebral cortex: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1222551. [PMID: 37547136 PMCID: PMC10400340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1222551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Numerous studies have suggested a connection between circadian rhythm and neurological disorders with cognitive and consciousness impairments in humans, yet little evidence stands for a causal relationship between circadian rhythm and the brain cortex. Methods The top 10,000 morningness-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics were used to filter the instrumental variables. GWAS summary statistics from the ENIGMA Consortium were used to assess the causal relationship between morningness and variates like cortical thickness (TH) or surficial area (SA) on the brain cortex. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and weighted median (WM) were used as the major estimates whereas MR-Egger, MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel-plot were used for heterogeneity and pleiotropy detecting. Results Regionally, morningness decreased SA of the rostral middle frontal gyrus with genomic control (IVW: β = -24.916 mm, 95% CI: -47.342 mm to -2.490 mm, p = 0.029. WM: β = -33.208 mm, 95% CI: -61.933 mm to -4.483 mm, p = 0.023. MR Egger: β < 0) and without genomic control (IVW: β = -24.581 mm, 95% CI: -47.552 mm to -1.609 mm, p = 0.036. WM: β = -32.310 mm, 95% CI: -60.717 mm to -3.902 mm, p = 0.026. MR Egger: β < 0) on a nominal significance, with no heterogeneity or no outliers. Conclusions and implications Circadian rhythm causally affects the rostral middle frontal gyrus; this sheds new light on the potential use of MRI in disease diagnosis, revealing the significance of circadian rhythm on the progression of disease, and might also suggest a fresh therapeutic approach for disorders related to the rostral middle frontal gyrus-related.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Basic Science and Prevention of Perioperative Organ Disfunction, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Engineering Research Center for Tissue and Organ Injury and Repair Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Ru Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Sheng He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern China University, Hengyang, China
| | - Sijie Ruan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Binghua He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Junda Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Linghui Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Basic Science and Prevention of Perioperative Organ Disfunction, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
- Guangxi Engineering Research Center for Tissue and Organ Injury and Repair Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Puri TA, Richard JE, Galea LAM. Beyond sex differences: short- and long-term effects of pregnancy on the brain. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:459-471. [PMID: 37120339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Growing attention has been directed to the inclusion of females in neuroscience studies, and to the importance of studying sex as a biological variable. However, how female-specific factors such as menopause and pregnancy, affect the brain remains understudied. In this review, we use pregnancy as a case in point of a female-unique experience that can alter neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and cognition. We examine studies in both humans and rodents indicating that pregnancy can modify neural function in the short term, as well as alter the trajectory of brain aging. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of maternal age, fetal sex, number of pregnancies, and presence of pregnancy complications on brain health outcomes. We conclude by encouraging the scientific community to prioritize researching female health by recognizing and including factors such as pregnancy history in research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi A Puri
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jennifer E Richard
- Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Orchard ER, Voigt K, Chopra S, Thapa T, Ward PGD, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. The maternal brain is more flexible and responsive at rest: effective connectivity of the parental caregiving network in postpartum mothers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4719. [PMID: 36959247 PMCID: PMC10036465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31696-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of neuroscience has largely overlooked the impact of motherhood on brain function outside the context of responses to infant stimuli. Here, we apply spectral dynamic causal modelling (spDCM) to resting-state fMRI data to investigate differences in brain function between a group of 40 first-time mothers at 1-year postpartum and 39 age- and education-matched women who have never been pregnant. Using spDCM, we investigate the directionality (top-down vs. bottom-up) and valence (inhibition vs excitation) of functional connections between six key left hemisphere brain regions implicated in motherhood: the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens. We show a selective modulation of inhibitory pathways related to differences between (1) mothers and non-mothers, (2) the interactions between group and cognitive performance and (3) group and social cognition, and (4) differences related to maternal caregiving behaviour. Across analyses, we show consistent disinhibition between cognitive and affective regions suggesting more efficient, flexible, and responsive behaviour, subserving cognitive performance, social cognition, and maternal caregiving. Together our results support the interpretation of these key regions as constituting a parental caregiving network. The nucleus accumbens and the parahippocampal gyrus emerging as 'hub' regions of this network, highlighting the global importance of the affective limbic network for maternal caregiving, social cognition, and cognitive performance in the postpartum period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwina R Orchard
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katharina Voigt
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Sidhant Chopra
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tribikram Thapa
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Phillip G D Ward
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gary F Egan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharna D Jamadar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Martínez-García M, Paternina-Die M, Cardenas SI, Vilarroya O, Desco M, Carmona S, Saxbe DE. First-time fathers show longitudinal gray matter cortical volume reductions: evidence from two international samples. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:4156-4163. [PMID: 36057840 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac333] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence points to the transition to parenthood as a critical window for adult neural plasticity. Studying fathers offers a unique opportunity to explore how parenting experience can shape the human brain when pregnancy is not directly experienced. Yet very few studies have examined the neuroanatomic adaptations of men transitioning into fatherhood. The present study reports on an international collaboration between two laboratories, one in Spain and the other in California (United States), that have prospectively collected structural neuroimaging data in 20 expectant fathers before and after the birth of their first child. The Spanish sample also included a control group of 17 childless men. We tested whether the transition into fatherhood entailed anatomical changes in brain cortical volume, thickness, and area, and subcortical volumes. We found overlapping trends of cortical volume reductions within the default mode network and visual networks and preservation of subcortical structures across both samples of first-time fathers, which persisted after controlling for fathers' and children's age at the postnatal scan. This study provides convergent evidence for cortical structural changes in fathers, supporting the possibility that the transition to fatherhood may represent a meaningful window of experience-induced structural neuroplasticity in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Paternina-Die
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia I Cardenas
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Oscar Vilarroya
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susanna Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Trait coping styles and the maternal neural and behavioral sensitivity to an infant. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14373. [PMID: 35999360 PMCID: PMC9399102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18339-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
During the postpartum period, new mothers experience drastic changes in their body, brain, and life circumstances. Stress from the emotional and physical demands of caring for an infant is associated with negative mood and parenting outcomes. The use of active coping strategies can increase mothers’ resilience during the postpartum period. However, little is known about the association between coping styles and maternal brain responses to infant cues. In the current study, we examined the associations among trait coping style, maternal brain responses, and behavioral sensitivity in a socioeconomically diverse sample of first-time mothers (N = 59). The use of more active trait coping strategies compared to passive coping strategies was associated with increased brain responses to infant cry sounds in brain regions that are critically involved in motivation and emotion regulation—substantia nigra, anterior cingulate gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus. Increased brain activations in the midbrain and anterior cingulate gyrus were further associated with higher levels of maternal sensitivity observed during interactions with the infant. Thus, the findings provide support for mothers’ use of more active coping styles to promote neural and behavioral resilience for a positive transition to parenthood.
Collapse
|
18
|
Orchard ER, Ward PGD, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. Evidence of Subjective, But Not Objective, Cognitive Deficit in New Mothers at 1-Year Postpartum. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2022; 31:1087-1096. [PMID: 35980243 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The experience and even existence of cognitive deficits in the postpartum period is uncertain, with only a few scientific studies, reporting inconsistent results. Methods: In this study, we investigate cognition in 86 women (43 first-time mothers 1 year postpartum and 43 non-mothers). Results: Mothers and non-mothers showed no significant differences on measures of objective cognition (verbal memory, working memory, and processing speed or theory of mind). Despite the absence of objective differences, mothers self-reported significantly worse subjective memory than non-mothers. To interpret the difference between objective and subjective measures of memory, we investigated relationships between subjective memory, objective memory, and wellbeing. Mothers, but not non-mothers, showed a positive correlation between subjective and objective measures of memory, indicating mothers are "in-tune" with their memory performance. Mothers also demonstrated a positive relationship between subjective memory and wellbeing (sleep, anxiety, and depression), where better wellbeing correlated with higher subjective memory. This relationship was not apparent in non-mothers. The results suggest that poorer sleep, higher anxiety, and higher depression are related to reports of poorer self-reported memory in mothers. Conclusion: Our results add to our growing understanding of maternal cognition at 1 year postpartum, with no evidence of cognitive differences between mothers and non-mothers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwina R Orchard
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Australia.,Yale Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, Connecticut, USA
| | - Phillip G D Ward
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gary F Egan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Australia
| | - Sharna D Jamadar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Harrington YA, Parisi JM, Duan D, Rojo-Wissar DM, Holingue C, Spira AP. Sex Hormones, Sleep, and Memory: Interrelationships Across the Adult Female Lifespan. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:800278. [PMID: 35912083 PMCID: PMC9331168 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.800278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As the population of older adults grows, so will the prevalence of aging-related conditions, including memory impairments and sleep disturbances, both of which are more common among women. Compared to older men, older women are up to twice as likely to experience sleep disturbances and are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). These sex differences may be attributed in part to fluctuations in levels of female sex hormones (i.e., estrogen and progesterone) that occur across the adult female lifespan. Though women tend to experience the most significant sleep and memory problems during the peri-menopausal period, changes in memory and sleep have also been observed across the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Here, we review current knowledge on the interrelationships among female sex hormones, sleep, and memory across the female lifespan, propose possible mediating and moderating mechanisms linking these variables and describe implications for ADRD risk in later life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin A. Harrington
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeanine M. Parisi
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daisy Duan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Darlynn M. Rojo-Wissar
- The Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adam P. Spira
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Martínez-García M, Cardenas SI, Pawluski J, Carmona S, Saxbe DE. Recent Neuroscience Advances in Human Parenting. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 27:239-267. [PMID: 36169818 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97762-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood entails brain adaptations to the demands of caring for a newborn. This chapter reviews recent neuroscience findings on human parenting, focusing on neuroimaging studies. First, we describe the brain circuits underlying human maternal behavior, which comprise ancient subcortical circuits and more sophisticated cortical regions. Then, we present the short-term and long-term functional and structural brain adaptations that characterize the transition to motherhood, discuss the long-term effects of parenthood on the brain, and propose several underlying neural mechanisms. We also review neuroimaging findings in biological fathers and alloparents (such as other relatives or adoptive parents), who engage in parenting without directly experiencing pregnancy or childbirth. Finally, we describe perinatal mental illnesses and discuss the neural responses associated with such disorders. To date, studies indicate that parenthood is a period of enhanced brain plasticity within brain areas critical for cognitive and social processing and that both parenting experience and gestational-related factors can prime such plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sofia I Cardenas
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jodi Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), Rennes, France
| | - Susanna Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
King LS, Salo VC, Kujawa A, Humphreys KL. Advancing the RDoC initiative through the assessment of caregiver social processes. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:1648-1664. [PMID: 34311802 PMCID: PMC8792111 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942100064x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The relationships infants and young children have with their caregivers are fundamental to their survival and well-being. Theorists and researchers across disciplines have attempted to describe and assess the variation in these relationships, leading to a general acceptance that caregiving is critical to understanding child functioning, including developmental psychopathology. At the same time, we lack consensus on how to assess these fundamental relationships. In the present paper, we first review research documenting the importance of the caregiver-child relationship in understanding environmental risk for psychopathology. Second, we propose that the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative provides a useful framework for extending the study of children's risk for psychopathology by assessing their caregivers' social processes. Third, we describe the units of analysis for caregiver social processes, documenting how the specific subconstructs in the domain of social processes are relevant to the goal of enhancing knowledge of developmental psychopathology. Lastly, we highlight how past research can inform new directions in the study of caregiving and the parent-child relationship through this innovative extension of the RDoC initiative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy S King
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Virginia C Salo
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kathryn L Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Martínez-García M, Paternina-Die M, Desco M, Vilarroya O, Carmona S. Characterizing the Brain Structural Adaptations Across the Motherhood Transition. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:742775. [PMID: 34816246 PMCID: PMC8593951 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.742775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Women that become mothers face notable physiological adaptations during this life-period. Neuroimaging studies of the last decade have provided grounded evidence that women's brains structurally change across the transition into motherhood. The characterization of this brain remodeling is currently in its early years of research. The current article reviews this scientific field by focusing on our longitudinal (pre-to-post pregnancy) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies in first-time parents and other longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of parents. We present the questions that are currently being answered by the parental brain literature and point out those that have not yet been explored. We also highlight potential confounding variables that need to be considered when analyzing and interpreting brain changes observed during motherhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Paternina-Die
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Vilarroya
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Voldsbekk I, Barth C, Maximov II, Kaufmann T, Beck D, Richard G, Moberget T, Westlye LT, de Lange AG. A history of previous childbirths is linked to women's white matter brain age in midlife and older age. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:4372-4386. [PMID: 34118094 PMCID: PMC8356991 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal brain adaptations occur in response to pregnancy, but little is known about how parity impacts white matter and white matter ageing trajectories later in life. Utilising global and regional brain age prediction based on multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging data, we investigated the association between previous childbirths and white matter brain age in 8,895 women in the UK Biobank cohort (age range = 54-81 years). The results showed that number of previous childbirths was negatively associated with white matter brain age, potentially indicating a protective effect of parity on white matter later in life. Both global white matter and grey matter brain age estimates showed unique contributions to the association with previous childbirths, suggesting partly independent processes. Corpus callosum contributed uniquely to the global white matter association with previous childbirths, and showed a stronger relationship relative to several other tracts. While our findings demonstrate a link between reproductive history and brain white matter characteristics later in life, longitudinal studies are required to establish causality and determine how parity may influence women's white matter trajectories across the lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Voldsbekk
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Health and FunctioningWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesBergenNorway
| | - Claudia Barth
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Ivan I. Maximov
- Department of Health and FunctioningWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesBergenNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Tobias Kaufmann
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Dani Beck
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HTOsloNorway
| | - Genevieve Richard
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Torgeir Moberget
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Lars T. Westlye
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Ann‐Marie G. de Lange
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical NeurosciencesLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
León I, Rodrigo MJ, Quiñones I, Hernández-Cabrera JA, García-Pentón L. Distinctive Frontal and Occipitotemporal Surface Features in Neglectful Parenting. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030387. [PMID: 33803895 PMCID: PMC8003221 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the brain signatures of adaptive human parenting are well documented, the cortical features associated with maladaptive caregiving are underexplored. We investigated whether cortical thickness and surface area vary in a small group of mothers who had neglected their children (24 in the neglect group, NG) compared to a control group of mothers with non-neglectful caregiving (21 in the control group, CG). We also tested whether the cortical differences were related to dyadic mother-child emotional availability (EA) in a play task with their children and whether alexithymia involving low emotional awareness that characterizes the NG could play a role in the cortical-EA associations. Whole-brain analysis of the cortical mantle identified reduced cortical thickness in the right rostral middle frontal gyrus and an increased surface area in the right lingual and lateral occipital cortices for the NG with respect to the CG. Follow-up path analysis showed direct effects of the right rostral middle frontal gyrus (RMFG) on the emotional availability (EA) and on the difficulty to identify feelings (alexithymia factor), with a marginal indirect RMFG-EA effect through this factor. These preliminary findings extend existing work by implicating differences in cortical features associated with neglectful parenting and relevant to mother-child interactive bonding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada León
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (M.J.R.); (J.A.H.-C.)
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - María José Rodrigo
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (M.J.R.); (J.A.H.-C.)
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ileana Quiñones
- Basque Center on Cognition, Brain, and Language, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain;
| | - Juan Andrés Hernández-Cabrera
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain; (M.J.R.); (J.A.H.-C.)
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Lorna García-Pentón
- MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 7EF, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Do Pregnancy-Induced Brain Changes Reverse? The Brain of a Mother Six Years after Parturition. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020168. [PMID: 33525512 PMCID: PMC7912216 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging researchers commonly assume that the brain of a mother is comparable to that of a nulliparous woman. However, pregnancy leads to pronounced gray matter volume reductions in the mother's brain, which have been associated with maternal attachment towards the baby. Beyond two years postpartum, no study has explored whether these brain changes are maintained or instead return to pre-pregnancy levels. The present study tested whether gray matter volume reductions detected in primiparous women are still present six years after parturition. Using data from a unique, prospective neuroimaging study, we compared the gray matter volume of 25 primiparous and 22 nulliparous women across three sessions: before conception (n = 25/22), during the first months of postpartum (n = 25/21), and at six years after parturition (n = 7/5). We found that most of the pregnancy-induced gray matter volume reductions persist six years after parturition (classifying women as having been pregnant or not with 91.67% of total accuracy). We also found that brain changes at six years postpartum are associated with measures of mother-to-infant attachment. These findings open the possibility that pregnancy-induced brain changes are permanent and encourage neuroimaging studies to routinely include pregnancy-related information as a relevant demographic variable.
Collapse
|
26
|
Orchard ER, Ward PGD, Chopra S, Storey E, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. Neuroprotective Effects of Motherhood on Brain Function in Late Life: A Resting-State fMRI Study. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1270-1283. [PMID: 33067999 PMCID: PMC7906778 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal brain undergoes structural and functional plasticity during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Little is known about functional plasticity outside caregiving-specific contexts and whether changes persist across the lifespan. Structural neuroimaging studies suggest that parenthood may confer a protective effect against the aging process; however, it is unknown whether parenthood is associated with functional brain differences in late life. We examined the relationship between resting-state functional connectivity and number of children parented in 220 healthy older females (73.82 ± 3.53 years) and 252 healthy older males (73.95 ± 3.50 years). We compared the patterns of resting-state functional connectivity with 3 different models of age-related functional change to assess whether these effects may be functionally neuroprotective for the aging human parental brain. No relationship between functional connectivity and number of children was obtained for males. For females, we found widespread decreasing functional connectivity with increasing number of children parented, with increased segregation between networks, decreased connectivity between hemispheres, and decreased connectivity between anterior and posterior regions. The patterns of functional connectivity related to the number of children an older woman has parented were in the opposite direction to those usually associated with age-related cognitive decline, suggesting that motherhood may be beneficial for brain function in late life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwina R Orchard
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip G D Ward
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sidhant Chopra
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience (Medicine), Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Gary F Egan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharna D Jamadar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kim P. How stress can influence brain adaptations to motherhood. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100875. [PMID: 33038383 PMCID: PMC7539902 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Research shows that a woman's brain and body undergo drastic changes to support her transition to parenthood during the perinatal period. The presence of this plasticity suggests that mothers' brains may be changed by their experiences. Exposure to severe stress may disrupt adaptive changes in the maternal brain and further impact the neural circuits of stress regulation and maternal motivation. Emerging literature of human mothers provides evidence that stressful experience, whether from the past or present environment, is associated with altered responses to infant cues in brain circuits that support maternal motivation, emotion regulation, and empathy. Interventions that reduce stress levels in mothers may reverse the negative impact of stress exposure on the maternal brain. Finally, outstanding questions regarding the timing, chronicity, types, and severity of stress exposure, as well as study design to identify the causal impact of stress, and the role of race/ethnicity are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cárdenas EF, Kujawa A, Humphreys KL. Neurobiological changes during the peripartum period: implications for health and behavior. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 15:1097-1110. [PMID: 31820795 PMCID: PMC7657461 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood is an important period marked by dramatic neurobiological and psychosocial changes that may have implications for the health of women and offspring. Although human and non-human animal research suggests that the brain undergoes alterations during the peripartum period, these changes are poorly understood. Here, we review existing research, particularly human neuroimaging and psychophysiological research, to examine changes in brain structure and function during the peripartum period and discuss potential implications for the health of women and offspring. First, we discuss the potential causes of these changes across pregnancy, including physiological and psychosocial factors. Next, we discuss the evidence for structural and functional changes in the brain during pregnancy and into the postpartum period, noting the need for research conducted prospectively across human pregnancy. Finally, we propose potential models of individual differences in peripartum neurobiological changes (i.e. hypo-response, typical response, hyper-response) and emphasize the need to consider trajectories of change in addition to pre-existing factors that may predict maternal adjustment to parenthood. We suggest that the consideration of individual differences in neurobiological trajectories across pregnancy may contribute to a better understanding of risk for negative health and behavior outcomes for women and offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia F Cárdenas
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 37203, Nashville, USA
| | - Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 37203, Nashville, USA
| | - Kathryn L Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 37203, Nashville, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
de Lange AG, Barth C, Kaufmann T, Anatürk M, Suri S, Ebmeier KP, Westlye LT. The maternal brain: Region-specific patterns of brain aging are traceable decades after childbirth. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4718-4729. [PMID: 32767637 PMCID: PMC7555081 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy involves maternal brain adaptations, but little is known about how parity influences women's brain aging trajectories later in life. In this study, we replicated previous findings showing less apparent brain aging in women with a history of childbirths, and identified regional brain aging patterns linked to parity in 19,787 middle- and older-aged women. Using novel applications of brain-age prediction methods, we found that a higher number of previous childbirths were linked to less apparent brain aging in striatal and limbic regions. The strongest effect was found in the accumbens-a key region in the mesolimbic reward system, which plays an important role in maternal behavior. While only prospective longitudinal studies would be conclusive, our findings indicate that subcortical brain modulations during pregnancy and postpartum may be traceable decades after childbirth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann‐Marie G. de Lange
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, & Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Claudia Barth
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, & Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Tobias Kaufmann
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, & Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Melis Anatürk
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative NeuroimagingUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sana Suri
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative NeuroimagingUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Lars T. Westlye
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, & Division of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sacher J, Chechko N, Dannlowski U, Walter M, Derntl B. The peripartum human brain: Current understanding and future perspectives. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 59:100859. [PMID: 32771399 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The peripartum period offers a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of how dramatic fluctuations in endogenous ovarian hormones affect the human brain and behavior. This notwithstanding, peripartum depression remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder. Here, we review recent neuroimaging findings with respect to the neuroplastic changes in the maternal brain during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We seek to provide an overview of multimodal neuroimaging designs of current peripartum depression models of hormone withdrawal, changes in monoaminergic signaling, and maladaptive neuroplasticity, which likely lead to the development of a condition that puts the lives of mother and infant at risk. We discuss the need to effectively integrate the available information on psychosocial and neurobiological risk factors contributing to individual vulnerability. Finally, we propose a systematic approach to neuroimaging the peripartum brain that acknowledges important co-morbidities and variation in disease onset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sacher
- Department of Neurology, Max-Planck-Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstr. 1A, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Emotion Neuroimaging Lab, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstr. 1A, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 16, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Natalia Chechko
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Muenster, Albert Schweitzer-Campus 1, G 9A, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr. 24, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; LEAD Graduate Training & Research Network, University of Tübingen, Walter-Simon-Str. 12, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Qiu W, Hodges TE, Clark EL, Blankers SA, Galea LAM. Perinatal depression: Heterogeneity of disease and in animal models. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 59:100854. [PMID: 32750403 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal depression (PND) can have either an antepartum or postpartum onset. Although the greatest risk factor for PND is previous depression history,de novoPND occurs with the majority of cases occurring in the postpartum. Timing of depression can impact etiology, prognosis, and response to treatment. Thus, it is crucial to study the impact of the heterogeneity of PND for better health outcomes. In this review, we outline the differences between antepartum and postpartum depression onset of PND. We discuss maternal physiological changes that differ between pregnancy and postpartum and how these may differentially impact depression susceptibility. We highlight changes in the maternal steroid and peptide hormone levels, immune signalling, serotonergic tone, metabolic factors, brain morphology, and the gut microbiome. Finally, we argue that studying the heterogeneity of PND in clinical and preclinical models can lead to improved knowledge of disease etiopathology and treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wansu Qiu
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Travis E Hodges
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emily L Clark
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samantha A Blankers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rozenkrantz L, Weissgross R, Weiss T, Ravreby I, Frumin I, Shushan S, Gorodisky L, Reshef N, Holzman Y, Pinchover L, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Mishor E, Soroka T, Finkel M, Tagania L, Ravia A, Perl O, Furman-Haran E, Carp H, Sobel N. Unexplained repeated pregnancy loss is associated with altered perceptual and brain responses to men's body-odor. eLife 2020; 9:e55305. [PMID: 32988456 PMCID: PMC7524551 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian olfaction and reproduction are tightly linked, a link less explored in humans. Here, we asked whether human unexplained repeated pregnancy loss (uRPL) is associated with altered olfaction, and particularly altered olfactory responses to body-odor. We found that whereas most women with uRPL could identify the body-odor of their spouse, most control women could not. Moreover, women with uRPL rated the perceptual attributes of men's body-odor differently from controls. These pronounced differences were accompanied by an only modest albeit significant advantage in ordinary, non-body-odor-related olfaction in uRPL. Next, using structural and functional brain imaging, we found that in comparison to controls, most women with uRPL had smaller olfactory bulbs, yet increased hypothalamic response in association with men's body-odor. These findings combine to suggest altered olfactory perceptual and brain responses in women experiencing uRPL, particularly in relation to men's body-odor. Whether this link has any causal aspects to it remains to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liron Rozenkrantz
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inbal Ravreby
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Idan Frumin
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sagit Shushan
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Holzman
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Pinchover
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Finkel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liav Tagania
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofer Perl
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Howard Carp
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sasan D, Ward PGD, Nash M, Orchard ER, Farrell MJ, Hohwy J, Jamadar SD. "Phantom Kicks": Women's Subjective Experience of Fetal Kicks After the Postpartum Period. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2020; 30:36-44. [PMID: 32846107 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2019.8191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: During pregnancy, a woman will attribute increased abdominal sensations to fetal movement. Surprisingly, many women report that they feel kick sensations long after the pregnancy; however, this experience has never been reported in the scientific literature. Materials and Methods: We used a qualitative approach to survey n = 197 women who had previously been pregnant. We calculated the number of women who had experienced phantom kicks after their first pregnancy, and explored subjective experiences of kick-like sensations in the post-partum period. Results: In this study, we show that almost 40% of women in our sample experienced phantom fetal kicks after their first pregnancy, up to 28 years (average 6.4 years) post-partum. Women described the phantom sensations as "convincing," "real kicks," or "flutters." Twenty-seven percent of women described the experience as nostalgic or comforting, and 25.7% reported felt confused or upset by the experience. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phantom kicks in the postpartum period are a widely experienced sensation, which may have implications for a woman's postpartum mental health. The mechanism behind the phantom kick phenomenon is unknown, but may be related to changes in the somatosensory homunculus or proprioception during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Disha Sasan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip G D Ward
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Meredith Nash
- School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Edwina R Orchard
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J Farrell
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jakob Hohwy
- Cognition and Philosophy Lab, Department of Philosophy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sharna D Jamadar
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Orchard ER, Ward PGD, Sforazzini F, Storey E, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. Relationship between parenthood and cortical thickness in late adulthood. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236031. [PMID: 32722686 PMCID: PMC7386609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy and the early postpartum period alter the structure of the brain; particularly in regions related to parental care. However, the enduring effects of this period on human brain structure and cognition in late life is unknown. Here we use magnetic resonance imaging to examine differences in cortical thickness related to parenthood in late life, for both sexes. In 235 healthy older women, we find a positive relationship between parity (number of children parented) and memory performance in mothers. Parity was also associated with differences in cortical thickness in women in the parahippocampus, precuneus, cuneus and pericalcarine sulcus. We also compared non-parents to parents of one child, in a sub-sample of older women (N = 45) and men (N = 35). For females, six regions differed in cortical thickness between parents and non-parents; these regions were consistent with those seen earlier in life in previous studies. For males, five regions differed in cortical thickness between parents and non-parents. We are first to reveal parenthood-related brain differences in late-life; our results are consistent with previously identified areas that are altered during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that neural changes associated with early stages of parenthood persist into older age, and for women, may be related to marginally better cognitive outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwina R. Orchard
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| | - Phillip G. D. Ward
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| | - Francesco Sforazzini
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience (Medicine), Monash University, Alfred Hospital Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary F. Egan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| | - Sharna D. Jamadar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Barth C, de Lange AMG. Towards an understanding of women's brain aging: the immunology of pregnancy and menopause. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 58:100850. [PMID: 32504632 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Women are at significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and show higher prevalence of autoimmune conditions relative to men. Women's brain health is historically understudied, and little is therefore known about the mechanisms underlying epidemiological sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases, and how female-specific factors may influence women's brain health across the lifespan. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the immunology of pregnancy and menopause, emphasizing that these major immunoendocrine transition phases may play a critical part in women's brain aging trajectories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Barth
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ann-Marie G de Lange
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Dufford AJ, Erhart A, Kim P. Maternal brain resting-state connectivity in the postpartum period. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12737. [PMID: 31106452 PMCID: PMC6874214 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the postpartum period, the maternal brain experiences both structural and functional plasticity. Although we have a growing understanding of the responses of the human maternal brain to infant stimuli, little is known about the intrinsic connectivity among those regions during the postpartum months. Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) provides a measure of the functional architecture of the brain based upon intrinsic functional connectivity (ie, the temporal correlation in blood oxygenation level dependent signal when the brain is not engaged in a specific task). In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine how later postpartum months are associated with rsFC and maternal behaviours. We recruited a sample of 47 socioeconomically diverse first-time mothers with singleton pregnancies. Because the amygdala has been shown to play a critical role in maternal behaviours in the postpartum period, this was chosen as the seed for a seed-based correlation analysis. For the left amygdala, later postpartum months were associated with greater connectivity with the anterior cingulate gyrus, left nucleus accumbens, right caudate and left cerebellum (P < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected). Furthermore, in an exploratory analysis, we observed indications that rsFC between the left amygdala and left nucleus accumbens was positively associated with maternal structuring during a mother child-interaction. In addition, later postpartum months were associated with greater connectivity between the right amygdala and the bilateral caudate and right putamen. Overall, we provide evidence of relationships between postpartum months and rsFC in the regions involved in salience detection and regions involved in maternal motivation. Greater connectivity between the amygdala and nucleus accumbens may play a role in positive maternal behaviours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Erhart
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA 80208
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA 80208
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Duarte-Guterman P, Leuner B, Galea LAM. The long and short term effects of motherhood on the brain. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 53:100740. [PMID: 30826374 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Becoming a mother is associated with dramatic changes in physiology, endocrinology, immune function, and behaviour that begins during pregnancy and persists into the postpartum. Evidence also suggests that motherhood is accompanied by long-term changes in brain function. In this review, we summarize the short (pregnancy and postpartum) and long-term (beyond the postpartum and into middle age) effects of pregnancy and motherhood on cognition, neuroplasticity, and neuroimmune signalling. We also discuss the effects of previous history of pregnancy and motherhood (parity) on brain health and disease (neurodegenerative diseases and stroke outcomes) and on efficacy of hormone and antidepressant treatments. Finally, we argue that pregnancy and motherhood are unique female experiences that need to be taken into account to better understand female brain function and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Duarte-Guterman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- Department of Psychology and Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. http://galealab.psych.ubc.ca
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Beyond sex differences: short and long-term implications of motherhood on women’s health. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|