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Jáni M, Mikeš O, Marecek R, Brazdil M, Mareckova K. Prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal depression: Combined effects on brain aging and mental health in young adulthood. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111062. [PMID: 38906411 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111062] [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] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Both maternal depression problems during pregnancy and prenatal exposure to air pollution have been associated with changes in the brain as well as worse mood and anxiety in the offspring in adulthood. However, it is not clear whether these effects are independent or whether and how they might interact and impact the brain age and mental health of the young adult offspring. METHODS A total of 202 mother-child dyads from a prenatal birth cohort were assessed for maternal depression during pregnancy through self-report questionnaires administered in the early 90s, exposure to air pollutants (Sulfur dioxide [SO2], nitrogen oxides [NOx], and suspended particle matter [SPM]) during each trimester based on maternal address and air quality data, mental health of the young adult offspring (28-30 years of age; 52% men, all of European ancestry) using self-report questionnaires for depression (Beck Depression Inventory), mood dysregulation (Profile of Mood States), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and psychotic symptoms (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire), and brain age, estimated from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and previously published neuroanatomical age prediction model using cortical thickness maps. The brain age gap estimate (BrainAGE) was computed by subtracting structural brain age from chronological age. Trajectories of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy were assessed using Growth Mixture Modeling. The interactions of prenatal depression and prenatal exposure to air pollutants on adult mental health and BrainAGE were assessed using hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS We revealed two distinct trajectories of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy: "early exposure," characterized by high exposure during the first trimester, followed by a steady decrease, and "late exposure," characterized by low exposure during the first trimester, followed by a steady increase in the exposure during the subsequent trimesters. Maternal depression during the first half of pregnancy interacted with NOX exposure trajectory, predicting mood dysregulation and schizotypal symptoms in young adults. In addition, maternal depression during the second half of pregnancy interacted with both NOx and SO2 exposure trajectories, respectively, and predicted BrainAGE in young adults. In those with early exposure to NOx, maternal depression during pregnancy was associated with worse mental health and accelerated brain aging in young adulthood. In contrast, in those with early exposure to SO2, maternal depression during pregnancy was associated with slower brain aging in young adulthood. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide the first evidence of the combined effects of prenatal exposure to air pollution and maternal depression on mental health outcomes and brain age in young adult offspring. Moreover, they point out the importance of the timing and trajectory of the exposure during prenatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Jáni
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Mikeš
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Marecek
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Brazdil
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Mareckova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Mueller ME, Graz MB, Truttmann AC, Schneider J, Duerden EG. Neonatal amygdala volumes, procedural pain and the association with social-emotional development in children born very preterm. Brain Struct Funct 2024:10.1007/s00429-024-02845-w. [PMID: 39103553 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Very preterm birth (< 32 weeks' gestational age) is associated with later social and emotional impairments, which may result from enhanced vulnerability of the limbic system during this period of heightened vulnerability. Evidence suggests that early procedural pain may be a key moderator of early brain networks. In a prospective cohort study, neonates born very preterm (< 30 weeks' gestation) underwent MRI scanning at term-equivalent age (TEA) and clinical data were collected (mechanical ventilation, analgesics, sedatives). Procedural pain was operationalized as the number of skin breaking procedures. Amygdala volumes were automatically extracted. The Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire was used to assess social-emotional outcomes at 5 years of age (mean age 67.5 months). General linear models were employed to examine the association between neonatal amygdala volumes and social-emotional outcomes and the timing and amount of procedural pain exposure (early within the first weeks of life to TEA) as a moderator, adjusting for biological sex, gestational age, 5-year assessment age, days of mechanical ventilation and total cerebral volumes. A total of 42 preterm infants participated. Right amygdala volumes at TEA were associated with prosocial behaviour at age 5 (B = -0.010, p = 0.005). Procedural pain was found to moderate the relationship between right amygdala volumes in the neonatal period and conduct problems at 5 years, such that early skin breaking procedures experienced within the first few weeks of life strengthened the association between right amygdala volumes and conduct problems (B = 0.005, p = 0.047). Late skin breaking procedures, experienced near TEA, also strengthened the association between right amygdala volumes and conduct problems (B = 0.004, p = 0.048).
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Mueller
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON, N6G 1G7, Canada
| | - Myriam Bickle Graz
- Department of Woman-Mother-Child, Clinic of Neonatology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anita C Truttmann
- Department of Woman-Mother-Child, Clinic of Neonatology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Schneider
- Department of Woman-Mother-Child, Clinic of Neonatology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emma G Duerden
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON, N6G 1G7, Canada.
- Departments of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada.
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
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Calixto C, Taymourtash A, Karimi D, Snoussi H, Velasco-Annis C, Jaimes C, Gholipour A. Advances in Fetal Brain Imaging. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2024; 32:459-478. [PMID: 38944434 PMCID: PMC11216711 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2024.03.004] [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: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, there have been remarkable developments in fetal brain MR imaging analysis methods. This article delves into the specifics of structural imaging, diffusion imaging, functional MR imaging, and spectroscopy, highlighting the latest advancements in motion correction, fetal brain development atlases, and the challenges and innovations. Furthermore, this article explores the clinical applications of these advanced imaging techniques in comprehending and diagnosing fetal brain development and abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Calixto
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Athena Taymourtash
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, Wien 1090, Austria
| | - Davood Karimi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Haykel Snoussi
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Clemente Velasco-Annis
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Camilo Jaimes
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ali Gholipour
- Computational Radiology Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Dr, 7th Floor West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Nava A, Lugli F, Lemmers S, Cerrito P, Mahoney P, Bondioli L, Müller W. Reading children's teeth to reconstruct life history and the evolution of human cooperation and cognition: The role of dental enamel microstructure and chemistry. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105745. [PMID: 38825260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105745] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Studying infants in the past is crucial for understanding the evolution of human life history and the evolution of cooperation, cognition, and communication. An infant's growth, health, and mortality can provide information about the dynamics and structure of a population, their cultural practices, and the adaptive capacity of a community. Skeletal remains provide one way of accessing this information for humans recovered prior to the historical periods. Teeth in particular, are retrospective archives of information that can be accessed through morphological, micromorphological, and biogeochemical methods. This review discusses how the microanatomy and formation of teeth, and particularly enamel, serve as archives of somatic growth, stress, and the environment. Examining their role in the broader context of human evolution, we discuss dental biogeochemistry and emphasize how the incremental growth of tooth microstructure facilitates the reconstruction of temporal data related to health, diet, mobility, and stress in past societies. The review concludes by considering tooth microstructure as a biomarker and the potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Nava
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, via Caserta 6, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Federico Lugli
- Institut of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Isotope and Element Research Center (FIERCE), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Chemical and Geological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Giuseppe Campi, 103, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Simone Lemmers
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., AREA Science Park, s.s. 14 km 163,500, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paola Cerrito
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Mahoney
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Giles Ln, Giles Ln, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, UK
| | - Luca Bondioli
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padua, Piazza Capitaniato, 7, Padua 35139, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Müller
- Institut of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Isotope and Element Research Center (FIERCE), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kral TRA, Williams CY, Wylie AC, McLaughlin K, Stephens RL, Mills-Koonce WR, Birn RB, Propper CB, Short SJ. Intergenerational effects of racism on amygdala and hippocampus resting state functional connectivity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17034. [PMID: 39043776 PMCID: PMC11266580 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66830-3] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Racism is an insidious problem with far-reaching effects on the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The pervasive negative impact of racism on mental health is well documented. However, less is known about the potential downstream impacts of maternal experiences of racism on offspring neurodevelopment. This study sought to examine evidence for a biological pathway of intergenerational transmission of racism-related trauma. This study examined the effects of self-reported maternal experiences of racism on resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) in n = 25 neonates (13 female, 12 male) birthed by BIPOC mothers. Amygdala and hippocampus are brain regions involved in fear, memory, and anxiety, and are central nodes in brain networks associated with trauma-related change. We used average scores on the Experiences of Racism Scale as a continuous, voxel-wise regressor in seed-based, whole-brain connectivity analysis of anatomically defined amygdala and hippocampus seed regions of interest. All analyses controlled for infant sex and gestational age at the 2-week scanning session. More maternal racism-related experiences were associated with (1) stronger right amygdala rsFC with visual cortex and thalamus; and (2) stronger hippocampus rsFC with visual cortex and a temporo-parietal network, in neonates. The results of this research have implications for understanding how maternal experiences of racism may alter neurodevelopment, and for related social policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R A Kral
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, USA
| | - C Y Williams
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, USA
| | - A C Wylie
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - K McLaughlin
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - R L Stephens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - W R Mills-Koonce
- School of Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - R B Birn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, USA
| | - C B Propper
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - S J Short
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin -Madison, Madison, USA.
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Herzberg MP, Smyser CD. Prenatal Social Determinants of Health: Narrative review of maternal environments and neonatal brain development. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03345-7. [PMID: 38961164 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03345-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The Social Determinants of Health, a set of social factors including socioeconomic status, community context, and neighborhood safety among others, are well-known predictors of mental and physical health across the lifespan. Recent research has begun to establish the importance of these social factors at the earliest points of brain development, including during the prenatal period. Prenatal socioeconomic status, perceived stress, and neighborhood safety have all been reported to impact neonatal brain structure and function, with exploratory work suggesting subsequent effects on infant and child behavior. Secondary effects of the Social Determinants of Health, such as maternal sleep and psychopathology during pregnancy, have also been established as important predictors of infant brain development. This research not only establishes prenatal Social Determinants of Health as important predictors of future outcomes but may be effectively applied even before birth. Future research replicating and extending the effects in this nascent literature has great potential to produce more specific and mechanistic understanding of the social factors that shape early neurobehavioral development. IMPACT: This review synthesizes the research to date examining the effects of the Social Determinants of Health during the prenatal period and neonatal brain outcomes. Structural, functional, and diffusion-based imaging methodologies are included along with the limited literature assessing subsequent infant behavior. The degree to which results converge between studies is discussed, in combination with the methodological and sampling considerations that may contribute to divergence in study results. Several future directions are identified, including new theoretical approaches to assessing the impact of the Social Determinants of Health during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max P Herzberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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Lautarescu A, Bonthrone AF, Bos B, Barratt B, Counsell SJ. Advances in fetal and neonatal neuroimaging and everyday exposures. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03294-1. [PMID: 38877283 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03294-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The complex, tightly regulated process of prenatal brain development may be adversely affected by "everyday exposures" such as stress and environmental pollutants. Researchers are only just beginning to understand the neural sequelae of such exposures, with advances in fetal and neonatal neuroimaging elucidating structural, microstructural, and functional correlates in the developing brain. This narrative review discusses the wide-ranging literature investigating the influence of parental stress on fetal and neonatal brain development as well as emerging literature assessing the impact of exposure to environmental toxicants such as lead and air pollution. These 'everyday exposures' can co-occur with other stressors such as social and financial deprivation, and therefore we include a brief discussion of neuroimaging studies assessing the effect of social disadvantage. Increased exposure to prenatal stressors is associated with alterations in the brain structure, microstructure and function, with some evidence these associations are moderated by factors such as infant sex. However, most studies examine only single exposures and the literature on the relationship between in utero exposure to pollutants and fetal or neonatal brain development is sparse. Large cohort studies are required that include evaluation of multiple co-occurring exposures in order to fully characterize their impact on early brain development. IMPACT: Increased prenatal exposure to parental stress and is associated with altered functional, macro and microstructural fetal and neonatal brain development. Exposure to air pollution and lead may also alter brain development in the fetal and neonatal period. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of multiple co-occurring exposures, including stress, environmental toxicants, and socioeconomic deprivation on early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lautarescu
- Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra F Bonthrone
- Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Brendan Bos
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Barratt
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Serena J Counsell
- Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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Weiner S, Wu Y, Kapse K, Vozar T, Cheng JJ, Murnick J, Henderson D, Teramoto H, Limperopoulos C, Andescavage N. Prenatal Maternal Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Newborn Brain Development. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2417924. [PMID: 38900424 PMCID: PMC11190810 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Elevated maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is associated with altered fetal brain development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prenatal maternal psychological distress more than doubled. Objective To examine the association of the pandemic and rising maternal psychological distress with brain growth in newborns using quantitative 3-dimensional volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cross-sectional study recruited mother-infant dyads at Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022) into a longitudinal infant brain development study and compared them with an existing normative healthy cohort (recruited March 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019). Exclusion criteria included multiple gestation pregnancy, known or suspected congenital infection, documented chromosomal abnormalities, or any maternal contraindication to MRI, as well as prenatal COVID-19 exposure. Infants with structural brain abnormalities or a postnatal confirmation of a genetic syndrome were excluded. Exposure Psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Main Outcomes and Measures Prenatal maternal mental health was evaluated using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. Neonates underwent nonsedated brain MRI. An ordinary least squares linear regression model was used to measure the differences in regional brain volumes of neonates born before vs during the pandemic with and without exposure to elevated prenatal maternal psychological distress after adjustment for neonatal sex and gestational age at MRI and maternal age and educational level. Results A total of 159 mother-infant dyads were included in the analysis: 103 before and 56 during the pandemic (median gestational age of infants, 39.6 [IQR, 38.4-40.4] weeks; median maternal age, 34.5 [IQR, 31.0-37.0] years). Eighty-three infants (52.2%) were female. Among the mothers, 130 (81.8%) had a college degree and 87 (54.7%) had a graduate degree. Forty-four mothers (27.7%) identified as Asian, Hispanic, or multiracial; 27 (17.0%), as Black; and 88 (55.3%), as White. Scores on anxiety and stress measures were significantly increased in the pandemic cohort. Infants of mothers with elevated maternal distress showed median reductions in white matter (-0.36 [95% CI, -0.61 to -0.11] cm3; Q < .001), right hippocampal (-0.35 [95% CI, -0.65 to -0.06] cm3; Q = .04), and left amygdala (-0.49 [95% CI, -0.84 to -0.13] cm3; Q = .03) volumes compared with infants of mothers with low distress levels. After adjusting for the cohort effect of the pandemic, elevated trait anxiety remained significantly associated with decreased left amygdalar volumes (-0.71 [95% CI, -1.12 to -0.29]; Q < .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of maternal-infant dyads prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, regional neonatal brain volumes were associated with elevated maternal psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Weiner
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Yao Wu
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Kushal Kapse
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Tracy Vozar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Psychology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | | | - Jonathan Murnick
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Radiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Diedtra Henderson
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Hironori Teramoto
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Department of Radiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Nickie Andescavage
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
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Mandl S, Alexopoulos J, Doering S, Wildner B, Seidl R, Bartha-Doering L. The effect of prenatal maternal distress on offspring brain development: A systematic review. Early Hum Dev 2024; 192:106009. [PMID: 38642513 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106009] [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] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal maternal distress can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, yet its impact on the offspring's brain structure and function remains unclear. This systematic review summarizes the available literature on the relationship between prenatal maternal distress and brain development in fetuses and infants up to 12 months of age. METHODS We searched Central, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEXplus for studies published between database inception and December 2023. Studies were included if prenatal maternal anxiety, stress, and/or depression was assessed, neuroimaging was used to examine the offspring, and the offspring's brain was imaged within the first year of life. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-II. RESULTS Out of the 1516 studies retrieved, 71 met our inclusion criteria. Although the studies varied greatly in their methodology, the results generally pointed to structural and functional aberrations in the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, and insula in fetuses and infants prenatally exposed to maternal distress. CONCLUSIONS The hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex have a high density of glucocorticoid receptors, which play a key role in adapting to stressors and maintaining stress-related homeostasis. We thus conclude that in utero exposure to maternal distress prompts these brain regions to adapt by undergoing structural and functional changes, with the consequence that these alterations increase the risk for developing a neuropsychiatric illness later on. Future research should investigate the effect of providing psychological support for pregnant women on the offspring's early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mandl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Johanna Alexopoulos
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Doering
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Wildner
- University Library, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Seidl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Bartha-Doering
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Fernández de Gamarra-Oca L, Lucas-Jiménez O, Ontañón JM, Loureiro-Gonzalez B, Peña J, Ibarretxe-Bilbao N, García-Guerrero MA, Ojeda N, Zubiaurre-Elorza L. Amygdala structure and function and its associations with social-emotional outcomes in a low-risk preterm sample. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:477-488. [PMID: 38236400 PMCID: PMC10917835 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02749-1] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Amygdala atypical volume development and functional connectivity (FC) at small gestational ages (GA) have been found across childhood. This adult-oriented study assesses whether altered amygdala structure and function is present following low-risk preterm birth. T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI images of 33 low-risk preterm (30-36 weeks' GA) and 29 full-term (37-42 weeks' GA) young adults of both sexes, aged between 20 and 32 years old, were analyzed using FreeSurfer (v6.0.0) and Coon Toolbox (v21.a). The social-emotional assessment included Happé's Strange Stories Test, the Moral Judgment Test, Delay-Discounting Test, Adult Self Report, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. No differences were found in social-emotional outcomes or amygdala volumes between the groups. Low-risk preterm young adults showed increased FC between the left amygdala, right amygdala and medial frontal cortex (MedFC) (F = 9.89, p-FWE = 0.009) at cluster level compared to their full-term peers. However, significant results at connection level were not observed between left and right amygdala. Lastly, increased FC at cluster level between the right amygdala and MedFC, and left amygdala and MedFC, was related to better social-emotional outcomes only in low-risk preterm young adults (F = 6.60, p-FWE = 0.036) at cluster level. At connection level, in contrast, only right amygdala-MedFC increased FC was significantly associated with better social-emotional outcomes. This study reveals that low-risk prematurity does not have an effect on social-emotional outcomes or structural amygdala volumes during young adulthood. However, individuals who were considered to be at a lower risk of exhibiting neurodevelopmental alterations following preterm birth demonstrated increased FC between the left and right amygdala and MedFC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - O Lucas-Jiménez
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - J M Ontañón
- OSATEK, MR Unit, Galdakao Hospital, Galdakao, Spain
| | - B Loureiro-Gonzalez
- Division of Neonatology, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - J Peña
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - N Ibarretxe-Bilbao
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - M A García-Guerrero
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - N Ojeda
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - L Zubiaurre-Elorza
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain.
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11
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Wu Y, De Asis-Cruz J, Limperopoulos C. Brain structural and functional outcomes in the offspring of women experiencing psychological distress during pregnancy. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02449-0. [PMID: 38418579 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In-utero exposure to maternal psychological distress is increasingly linked with disrupted fetal and neonatal brain development and long-term neurobehavioral dysfunction in children and adults. Elevated maternal psychological distress is associated with changes in fetal brain structure and function, including reduced hippocampal and cerebellar volumes, increased cerebral cortical gyrification and sulcal depth, decreased brain metabolites (e.g., choline and creatine levels), and disrupted functional connectivity. After birth, reduced cerebral and cerebellar gray matter volumes, increased cerebral cortical gyrification, altered amygdala and hippocampal volumes, and disturbed brain microstructure and functional connectivity have been reported in the offspring months or even years after exposure to maternal distress during pregnancy. Additionally, adverse child neurodevelopment outcomes such as cognitive, language, learning, memory, social-emotional problems, and neuropsychiatric dysfunction are being increasingly reported after prenatal exposure to maternal distress. The mechanisms by which prenatal maternal psychological distress influences early brain development include but are not limited to impaired placental function, disrupted fetal epigenetic regulation, altered microbiome and inflammation, dysregulated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, altered distribution of the fetal cardiac output to the brain, and disrupted maternal sleep and appetite. This review will appraise the available literature on the brain structural and functional outcomes and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring of pregnant women experiencing elevated psychological distress. In addition, it will also provide an overview of the mechanistic underpinnings of brain development changes in stress response and discuss current treatments for elevated maternal psychological distress, including pharmacotherapy (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and non-pharmacotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavior therapy). Finally, it will end with a consideration of future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | | | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
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12
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Spann MN, Alleyne K, Holland CM, Davids A, Pierre-Louis A, Bang C, Oyeneye V, Kiflom R, Shea E, Cheng B, Peterson BS, Monk C, Scheinost D. The effects of experience of discrimination and acculturation during pregnancy on the developing offspring brain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:476-485. [PMID: 37968451 PMCID: PMC10724278 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The experience of ethnic, racial, and structural inequalities is increasingly recognized as detrimental to health, and early studies suggest that its experience in pregnant mothers may affect the developing fetus. We characterized discrimination and acculturation experiences in a predominantly Hispanic sample of pregnant adolescent women and assessed their association with functional connectivity in their neonate's brain. We collected self-report measures of acculturation, discrimination, maternal distress (i.e., perceived stress, childhood trauma, and depressive symptoms), and socioeconomic status in 165 women. Then, we performed a data-driven clustering of acculturation, discrimination, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, trauma, and socioeconomic status variables during pregnancy to determine whether discrimination or acculturation clustered into distinct factors. Discrimination and acculturation styles loaded onto different factors from perceived stress, depressive symptoms, trauma, and socioeconomic status, suggesting that they were distinct from other factors in our sample. We associated these data-driven maternal phenotypes (discrimination and acculturation styles) with measures of resting-state functional MRI connectivity of the infant amygdala (n = 38). Higher maternal report of assimilation was associated with weaker connectivity between their neonate's amygdala and bilateral fusiform gyrus. Maternal experience of discrimination was associated with weaker connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex and stronger connectivity between the amygdala and fusiform of their neonate. Cautiously, the results may suggest a similarity to self-contained studies with adults, noting that the experience of discrimination and acculturation may influence amygdala circuitry across generations. Further prospective studies are essential that consider a more diverse population of minoritized individuals and with a comprehensive assessment of ethnic, racial, and structural factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa N Spann
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Kiarra Alleyne
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cristin M Holland
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonette Davids
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arline Pierre-Louis
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire Bang
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Eileen Shea
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bin Cheng
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bradley S Peterson
- Institute for the Developing Mind, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Monk
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Tuulari JJ, Rajasilta O, Cabral J, Kringelbach ML, Karlsson L, Karlsson H. Maternal prenatal distress exposure negatively associates with the stability of neonatal frontoparietal network. Stress 2024; 27:2275207. [PMID: 37877207 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2275207] [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] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal prenatal distress (PD), frequently defined as in utero prenatal stress exposure (PSE) to the developing fetus, influences the developing brain and numerous associations between PSE and brain structure have been described both in neonates and in older children. Previous studies addressing PSE-linked alterations in neonates' brain activity have focused on connectivity analyses from predefined seed regions, but the effects of PSE at the level of distributed functional networks remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of prenatal distress on the spatial and temporal properties of functional networks detected in functional MRI data from 20 naturally sleeping, term-born (age 25.85 ± 7.72 days, 11 males), healthy neonates. First, we performed group level independent component analysis (GICA) to evaluate an association between PD and the identified functional networks. Second, we searched for an association with PD at the level of the stability of functional networks over time using leading eigenvector dynamics analysis (LEiDA). No statistically significant associations were detected at the spatial level for the GICA-derived networks. However, at the dynamic level, LEiDA revealed that maternal PD negatively associated with the stability of a frontoparietal network. These results imply that maternal PD may influence the stability of frontoparietal connections in neonatal brain network dynamics and adds to the cumulating evidence that frontal areas are especially sensitive to PSE. We advocate for early preventive intervention strategies regarding pregnant mothers. Nevertheless, future research venues are required to assess optimal intervention timing and methods for maximum benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jetro J Tuulari
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Turku Collegium for Science, Medicine and Technology (TCSMT), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Olli Rajasilta
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Neurocenter, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Joana Cabral
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Morten L Kringelbach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Linnea Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Hasse Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku Finland
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14
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Li X, Qureshi MNI, Laplante DP, Elgbeili G, Jones SL, Long X, Paquin V, Bezgin G, Lussier F, King S, Rosa-Neto P. Atypical brain structure and function in young adults exposed to disaster-related prenatal maternal stress: Project Ice Storm. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1849-1863. [PMID: 37732456 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) affects brain structure and function in childhood. However, less research has examined whether PNMS effects on brain structure and function extend to young adulthood. We recruited women who were pregnant during or within 3 months following the 1998 Quebec ice storm, assessed their PNMS, and prospectively followed-up their children. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI were obtained from 19-year-old young adults with (n = 39) and without (n = 65) prenatal exposure to the ice storm. We examined between-group differences in gray matter volume (GMV), surface area (SA), and cortical thickness (CT). We used the brain regions showing between-group GMV differences as seeds to compare between-group functional connectivity. Within the Ice Storm group, we examined (1) associations between PNMS and the atypical GMV, SA, CT, and functional connectivity, and (2) moderation by timing of exposure. Primarily, we found that, compared to Controls, the Ice Storm youth had larger GMV and higher functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex, the precuneus, the left occipital pole, and the right hippocampus; they also had larger CT, but not SA, of the left occipital pole. Within the Ice Storm group, maternal subjective distress during preconception and mid-to-late pregnancy was associated with atypical left occipital pole CT. These results suggest the long-lasting impact of disaster-related PNMS on child brain structure and functional connectivity. Our study also indicates timing-specific effects of the subjective aspect of PNMS on occipital thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Li
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Muhammad Naveed Iqbal Qureshi
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David P Laplante
- Centre for Child Development and Mental Health, Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Sherri Lee Jones
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiangyu Long
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vincent Paquin
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gleb Bezgin
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Firoza Lussier
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Suzanne King
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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15
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Turk E, van den Heuvel MI, Sleurs C, Billiet T, Uyttebroeck A, Sunaert S, Mennes M, Van den Bergh BRH. Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is associated with weaker prefrontal functional connectivity in adult offspring. Brain Imaging Behav 2023; 17:595-607. [PMID: 37380807 PMCID: PMC10733226 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00787-1] [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] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The connectome, constituting a unique fingerprint of a person's brain, may be influenced by its prenatal environment, potentially affecting later-life resilience and mental health. METHODS We conducted a prospective resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging study in 28-year-old offspring (N = 49) of mothers whose anxiety was monitored during pregnancy. Two offspring anxiety subgroups were defined: "High anxiety" (n = 13) group versus "low-to-medium anxiety" (n = 36) group, based on maternal self-reported state anxiety at 12-22 weeks of gestation. To predict resting-state functional connectivity of 32 by 32 ROIs, maternal state anxiety during pregnancy was included as a predictor in general linear models for both ROI-to-ROI and graph theoretical metrics. Sex, birth weight and postnatal anxiety were included as covariates. RESULTS Higher maternal anxiety was associated with weaker functional connectivity of medial prefrontal cortex with left inferior frontal gyrus (t = 3.45, pFDR < 0.05). Moreover, network-based statistics (NBS) confirmed our finding and revealed an additional association of weaker connectivity between left lateral prefontal cortex with left somatosensory motor gyrus in the offspring. While our results showed a general pattern of lower functional connectivity in adults prenatally exposed to maternal anxiety, we did not observe significant differences in global brain networks between groups. CONCLUSIONS Weaker (medial) prefrontal cortex functional connectivity in the high anxiety adult offspring group suggests a long-term negative impact of prenatal exposure to high maternal anxiety, extending into adulthood. To prevent mental health problems at population level, universal primary prevention strategies should aim at lowering maternal anxiety during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Turk
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
| | - Marion I van den Heuvel
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Sleurs
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Maarten Mennes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology Research Group, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
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16
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Lin HH, Jung CR, Lin CY, Chang YC, Hsieh CY, Hsu PC, Chuang BR, Hwang BF. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to heavy metals in PM 2.5 and autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116874. [PMID: 37595830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders, and its incidence is increasing over time. Although several environmental factors have been suspected to be risk factors for ASD, studies on the effects of airborne heavy metals on newly developed ASD are still limited. We conducted a large birth cohort study of 168,062 live term births in Taichung during 2004-2011 to assess the association of heavy metals in particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) with ASD, and identify sensitive time windows during prenatal and postnatal periods. Heavy metals, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in PM2.5, were estimated using the Weather Research and Forecasting/Chem (WRF/Chem), inserted from the top 75 emission sources for the module. The association between childhood ASD and 4 metals were analyzed from pregnancy to 9 months after birth. The Cox proportional hazard model with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the association between heavy metals in PM2.5 and ASD. We identified 666 incident ASD cases in 168,062 participants. A positive association between Hg and ASD was found at 9 months after birth (Hazard Ratio: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13-2.36). According to the DLNM, there was an increased risk of exposure to Hg during 10-25 weeks after birth, and decreased risk of exposure to Hg during gestational weeks 4-6. Exposure to As and Hg on the risk of ASD were significantly stronger in low birth weight infants (<2500 g) than in those of birth weight ≥2500 g during postnatal period. Postnatal exposure to Hg in PM2.5 may associate with increased ASD incidence. Infants with low birth weight and exposure to As and Hg in PM2.5 are more likely to develop ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ren Jung
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Chuan-Yao Lin
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Chu Chang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yun Hsieh
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Hsu
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bao-Ru Chuang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Fang Hwang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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17
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Sanz JH, Cox S, Donofrio MT, Ishibashi N, McQuillen P, Peyvandi S, Schlatterer S. [Formula: see text] Trajectories of neurodevelopment and opportunities for intervention across the lifespan in congenital heart disease. Child Neuropsychol 2023; 29:1128-1154. [PMID: 36752083 PMCID: PMC10406974 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2023.2173162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental challenges across the lifespan. These are associated with neurological changes and potential acquired brain injury, which occur across a developmental trajectory and which are influenced by an array of medical, sociodemographic, environmental, and personal factors. These alterations to brain development lead to an array of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, which impact a characteristic set of skills over the course of development. The current paper reviews existing knowledge of aberrant brain development and brain injury alongside associated neurodevelopmental challenges across the lifespan. These provide a framework for discussion of emerging and potential interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes at each developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline H Sanz
- Division of Neuropsychology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Stephany Cox
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Mary T Donofrio
- Division of Cardiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Nobuyuki Ishibashi
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Hospital, Washington D.C
| | - Patrick McQuillen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shabnam Peyvandi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sarah Schlatterer
- Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine
- Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C
- Department of Neurology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C
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18
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Herzberg MP, Triplett R, McCarthy R, Kaplan S, Alexopoulos D, Meyer D, Arora J, Miller JP, Smyser TA, Herzog ED, England SK, Zhao P, Barch DM, Rogers CE, Warner BB, Smyser CD, Luby J. The Association Between Maternal Cortisol and Infant Amygdala Volume Is Moderated by Socioeconomic Status. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:837-846. [PMID: 37881545 PMCID: PMC10593881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It has been well established that socioeconomic status is associated with mental and physical health as well as brain development, with emerging data suggesting that these relationships begin in utero. However, less is known about how prenatal socioeconomic environments interact with the gestational environment to affect neonatal brain volume. Methods Maternal cortisol output measured at each trimester of pregnancy and neonatal brain structure were assessed in 241 mother-infant dyads. We examined associations between the trajectory of maternal cortisol output across pregnancy and volumes of cortisol receptor-rich regions of the brain, including the amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and caudate. Given the known effects of poverty on infant brain structure, socioeconomic disadvantage was included as a moderating variable. Results Neonatal amygdala volume was predicted by an interaction between maternal cortisol output across pregnancy and socioeconomic disadvantage (standardized β = -0.31, p < .001), controlling for postmenstrual age at scan, infant sex, and total gray matter volume. Notably, amygdala volumes were positively associated with maternal cortisol for infants with maternal disadvantage scores 1 standard deviation below the mean (i.e., less disadvantage) (simple slope = 123.36, p < .01), while the association was negative in infants with maternal disadvantage 1 standard deviation above the mean (i.e., more disadvantage) (simple slope = -82.70, p = .02). Individuals with disadvantage scores at the mean showed no association, and there were no significant interactions in the other brain regions examined. Conclusions These data suggest that fetal development of the amygdala is differentially affected by maternal cortisol production at varying levels of socioeconomic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max P. Herzberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Regina Triplett
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ronald McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sydney Kaplan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Dominique Meyer
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jyoti Arora
- Department of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - J. Philip Miller
- Department of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Tara A. Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Erik D. Herzog
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sarah K. England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Deanna M. Barch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Cynthia E. Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Barbara B. Warner
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Christopher D. Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joan Luby
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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19
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van den Heuvel MI, Monk C, Hendrix CL, Hect J, Lee S, Feng T, Thomason ME. Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Childhood Maltreatment Prior to Birth: Effects on Human Fetal Amygdala Functional Connectivity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 62:1134-1146. [PMID: 37245707 PMCID: PMC10845129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a potent risk factor for developing psychopathology later in life. Accumulating research suggests that the influence is not limited to the exposed individual but may also be transmitted across generations. In this study, we examine the effect of CM in pregnant women on fetal amygdala-cortical function, prior to postnatal influences. METHOD Healthy pregnant women (N = 89) completed fetal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) scans between the late second trimester and birth. Women were primarily from low socioeconomic status households with relatively high CM. Mothers completed questionnaires prospectively evaluating prenatal psychosocial health and retrospectively evaluating trauma from their own childhood. Voxelwise functional connectivity was calculated from bilateral amygdala masks. RESULTS Connectivity of the amygdala network was relatively higher to left frontal areas (prefrontal cortex and premotor) and relatively lower to right premotor area and brainstem areas in fetuses of mothers exposed to higher CM. These associations persisted after controlling for maternal socioeconomic status, maternal prenatal distress, measures of fetal motion, and gestational age at the time of scan and at birth. CONCLUSION Pregnant women's experiences of CM are associated with offspring brain development in utero. The strongest effects were found in the left hemisphere, potentially indicating lateralization of the effects of maternal CM on the fetal brain. This study suggests that the time frame of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease research should be extended to exposures from mothers' childhood, and indicates that the intergenerational transmission of trauma may occur prior to birth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Monk
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York; Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | - Jasmine Hect
- University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
| | - Seonjoo Lee
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York; Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Tianshu Feng
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York; Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc., New York
| | - Moriah E Thomason
- NYU Langone Health, New York; Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York
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20
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Rimol LM, Rise HH, Evensen KAI, Yendiki A, Løhaugen GC, Indredavik MS, Brubakk AM, Bjuland KJ, Eikenes L, Weider S, Håberg A, Skranes J. Atypical brain structure mediates reduced IQ in young adults born preterm with very low birth weight. Neuroimage 2023; 266:119816. [PMID: 36528311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth with very low birth weight (VLBW) confers heightened risk for perinatal brain injury and long-term cognitive deficits, including a reduction in IQ of up to one standard deviation. Persisting gray and white matter aberrations have been documented well into adolescence and adulthood in preterm born individuals. What has not been documented so far is a plausible causal link between reductions in cortical surface area or subcortical brain structure volumes, and the observed reduction in IQ. The NTNU Low Birth Weight in a Lifetime Perspective study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study, including a preterm born VLBW group (birthweight ≤1500 g) and a term born control group. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 38 participants aged 19, born preterm with VLBW, and 59 term-born peers. The FreeSurfer software suite was used to obtain measures of cortical thickness, cortical surface area, and subcortical brain structure volumes. Cognitive ability was estimated using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd Edition, including four IQ-indices: Verbal comprehension, Working memory, Perceptual organization, and Processing speed. Statistical mediation analyses were employed to test for indirect effects of preterm birth with VLBW on IQ, mediated by atypical brain structure. The mediation analyses revealed negative effects of preterm birth with VLBW on IQ that were partially mediated by reduced surface area in multiple regions of frontal, temporal, parietal and insular cortex, and by reductions in several subcortical brain structure volumes. The analyses did not yield sufficient evidence of mediation effects of cortical thickness on IQ. This is, to our knowledge, the first time a plausible causal relationship has been established between regional cortical area reductions, as well as reductions in specific subcortical and cerebellar structures, and general cognitive ability in preterm born survivors with VLBW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars M Rimol
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Henning Hoel Rise
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kari Anne I Evensen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anastasia Yendiki
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, United States
| | - Gro C Løhaugen
- Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
| | | | - Ann-Mari Brubakk
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Live Eikenes
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Siri Weider
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Asta Håberg
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jon Skranes
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
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21
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Peyvandi S, Rollins C. Fetal Brain Development in Congenital Heart Disease. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:115-122. [PMID: 36174913 PMCID: PMC9905309 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental impairments are the most common extracardiac morbidities among patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) across the lifespan. Robust clinical research in this area has revealed several cardiac, medical, and social factors that can contribute to neurodevelopmental outcome in the context of CHD. Studies using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been instrumental in identifying quantitative and qualitative difference in brain structure and maturation in this patient population. Full-term newborns with complex CHD are known to have abnormal microstructural and metabolic brain development with patterns similar to those seen in premature infants at approximately 34 to 36 weeks' gestation. With the advent of fetal brain MRI, these brain abnormalities are now documented as they begin in utero, as early as the third trimester. Importantly, disturbed brain development in utero is now known to be independently associated with neurodevelopmental outcome in early childhood, making the prenatal period an important timeframe for potential interventions. Advances in fetal brain MRI provide a robust imaging tool to use in future neuroprotective clinical trials. The causes of abnormal fetal brain development are multifactorial and include cardiovascular physiology, genetic abnormalities, placental impairment, and other environmental and social factors. This review provides an overview of current knowledge of brain development in the context of CHD, common prenatal imaging tools to evaluate the developing fetal brain in CHD, and known risk factors contributing to brain immaturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Peyvandi
- University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - Caitlin Rollins
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University Departments of Neurology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Mareckova K, Mareček R, Jani M, Zackova L, Andryskova L, Brazdil M, Nikolova YS. Association of Maternal Depression During Pregnancy and Recent Stress With Brain Age Among Adult Offspring. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2254581. [PMID: 36716025 PMCID: PMC9887495 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.54581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Maternal mental health problems during pregnancy are associated with altered neurodevelopment in offspring, but the long-term relationship between these prenatal risk factors and offspring brain structure in adulthood remains incompletely understood due to a paucity of longitudinal studies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between exposure to maternal depression in utero and offspring brain age in the third decade of life, and to evaluate recent stressful life events as potential moderators of this association. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study examined the 30-year follow-up of a Czech prenatal birth cohort with a within-participant design neuroimaging component in young adulthood conducted from 1991 to 2022. Participants from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood prenatal birth cohort were recruited for 2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-ups, one between ages 23 and 24 years (early 20s) and another between ages 28 and 30 years (late 20s). EXPOSURES Maternal depression during pregnancy; stressful life events in the past year experienced by the young adult offspring. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Gap between estimated neuroanatomical vs chronological age at MRI scan (brain age gap estimation [BrainAGE]) calculated once in participants' early 20s and once in their late 20s, and pace of aging calculated as the differences between BrainAGE at the 2 MRI sessions in young adulthood. RESULTS A total of 260 individuals participated in the second neuroimaging follow-up (mean [SD] age, 29.5 [0.6] years; 135 [52%] male); MRI data for both time points and a history of maternal depression were available for 110 participants (mean [SD] age, 29.3 [0.6] years; 56 [51%] male). BrainAGE in participants' early 20s was correlated with BrainAGE in their late 20s (r = 0.7, P < .001), and a previously observed association between maternal depression during pregnancy and BrainAGE in their early 20s persisted in their late 20s (adjusted R2 = 0.04; P = .04). However, no association emerged between maternal depression during pregnancy and the pace of aging between the 2 MRI sessions. The stability of the associations between maternal depression during pregnancy and BrainAGE was also supported by the lack of interactions with recent stress. In contrast, more recent stress was associated with greater pace of aging between the 2 MRI sessions, independent of maternal depression (adjusted R2 = 0.09; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this cohort study suggest that maternal depression and recent stress may have independent associations with brain age and the pace of aging, respectively, in young adulthood. Prevention and treatment of depression in pregnant mothers may have long-term implications for offspring brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Mareckova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- 1st Department of Neurology, St Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, MU, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Mareček
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Jani
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Zackova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- 1st Department of Neurology, St Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, MU, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Andryskova
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Brazdil
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- 1st Department of Neurology, St Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, MU, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yuliya S. Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Rajasilta O, Häkkinen S, Björnsdotter M, Scheinin NM, Lehtola SJ, Saunavaara J, Parkkola R, Lähdesmäki T, Karlsson L, Karlsson H, Tuulari JJ. Maternal psychological distress associates with alterations in resting-state low-frequency fluctuations and distal functional connectivity of the neonate medial prefrontal cortex. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:242-257. [PMID: 36458867 PMCID: PMC10108202 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal stress exposure (PSE) has been observed to exert a programming effect on the developing infant brain, possibly with long-lasting consequences on temperament, cognitive functions and the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. Several prior studies have revealed that PSE associates with alterations in neonate functional connectivity in the prefrontal regions and amygdala. In this study, we explored whether maternal psychological symptoms measured during the 24th gestational week had associations with neonate resting-state network metrics. Twenty-one neonates (nine female) underwent resting-state fMRI scanning (mean gestation-corrected age at scan 26.95 days) to assess fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). The ReHo/fALFF maps were used in multiple regression analysis to investigate whether maternal self-reported anxiety and/or depressive symptoms associate with neonate functional brain features. Maternal psychological distress (composite score of depressive and anxiety symptoms) was positively associated with fALFF in the neonate medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed separately, exhibited similar but weaker associations. Post hoc seed-based connectivity analyses further showed that distal connectivity of mPFC covaried with PSE. No associations were found between neonate ReHo and PSE. These results offer preliminary evidence that PSE may affect functional features of the developing brain during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli Rajasilta
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Suvi Häkkinen
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Malin Björnsdotter
- The Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Noora M Scheinin
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Satu J Lehtola
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jani Saunavaara
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Parkkola
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Tuire Lähdesmäki
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Linnea Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Center for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Hasse Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Center for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jetro J Tuulari
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford (Sigrid Juselius Fellowship), Oxford, UK
- Turku Collegium for Science and Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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24
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Neurological implications of antenatal corticosteroids on late preterm and term infants: a scoping review. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1225-1239. [PMID: 35681094 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to synthesize the body of knowledge on the association between ACS exposure for risk of preterm birth and brain development in infants ultimately born late preterm and term. Three databases and eight conference proceedings were systematically searched (1972-2021). Selection criteria included ACS administration for risk of preterm delivery, cohort of late preterm and term infants, and assessment of brain development. Data on study characteristics, ACS administration, and neurological outcomes were extracted and qualitatively synthesized according to themes. Neurological outcomes of the included studies (n = 27) were grouped into four themes. The most common adverse outcomes were reduced neonatal head circumference, structural cortical differences on MRI, increased prevalence of psychiatric problems, and increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays in ACS-exposed late preterm and term infants. Our scoping review demonstrated that ACS exposure for risk of preterm delivery may have important neurological implications in infants ultimately born late preterm and term. Given that the existing research is at serious risk for bias, further research that accounts for confounders such as preterm labor, maternal stress, and the number of ACS courses is needed to better establish the long-term neurological effects of ACS on late preterm and term infants. IMPACT: Due to the difficulty in predicting preterm birth, approximately 40% of fetuses exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are born at term (≥37 weeks' gestation). This scoping review summarizes the knowledge on the association between ACS exposure for risk of preterm birth and brain development in late preterm and term infants. The majority of studies reported that ACS exposure was associated with adverse brain development outcomes across various domains, such as reduced neonatal head circumference, cortical differences on MRI, and increased prevalence of psychiatric problems and neurodevelopmental delays in late preterm and term infants.
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25
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Scheinost D, Chang J, Lacadie C, Brennan-Wydra E, Foster R, Boxberger A, Macari S, Vernetti A, Constable RT, Ment LR, Chawarska K. Hypoconnectivity between anterior insula and amygdala associates with future vulnerabilities in social development in a neurodiverse sample of neonates. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16230. [PMID: 36171268 PMCID: PMC9517994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20617-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered resting state functional connectivity (FC) involving the anterior insula (aINS), a key node in the salience network, has been reported consistently in autism. Here we examined, for the first time, FC between the aINS and the whole brain in a sample of full-term, postmenstrual age (PMA) matched neonates (mean 44.0 weeks, SD = 1.5) who due to family history have high likelihood (HL) for developing autism (n = 12) and in controls (n = 41) without family history of autism (low likelihood, LL). Behaviors associated with autism were evaluated between 12 and 18 months (M = 17.3 months, SD = 2.5) in a subsample (25/53) of participants using the First Year Inventory (FYI). Compared to LL controls, HL neonates showed hypoconnectivity between left aINS and left amygdala. Lower connectivity between the two nodes was associated with higher FYI risk scores in the social domain (r(25) = -0.561, p = .003) and this association remained robust when maternal mental health factors were considered. Considering that a subsample of LL participants (n = 14/41) underwent brain imaging during the fetal period at PMA 31 and 34 weeks, in an exploratory analysis, we evaluated prospectively development of the LaINS-Lamy connectivity and found that the two areas strongly coactivate throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. The study identifies left lateralized anterior insula-amygdala connectivity as a potential target of further investigation into neural circuitry that enhances likelihood of future onset of social behaviors associated with autism during neonatal and potentially prenatal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Joseph Chang
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Cheryl Lacadie
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | | | - Rachel Foster
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | | | - Suzanne Macari
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Angelina Vernetti
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - R Todd Constable
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Laura R Ment
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Katarzyna Chawarska
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite 900, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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26
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Wei L, Ying X, Zhai M, Li J, Liu D, Liu X, Yu B, Yan H. The association between peritraumatic distress, perceived stress, depression in pregnancy, and NR3C1 DNA methylation among Chinese pregnant women who experienced COVID-19 lockdown. Front Immunol 2022; 13:966522. [PMID: 36091061 PMCID: PMC9453447 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.966522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress can affect pregnant women in an epigenetic way during the critical period of conception of their offspring. The study aims to investigate the relationship between peritraumatic distress, prenatal perceived stress, depression, and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) DNA methylation among pregnant women who experienced COVID-19 lockdown in China. Study data were collected from 30 pregnant women in Wuhan and Huanggang, China. The Peritraumatic Distress Inventory was used to measure peritraumatic distress, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms, and the Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure perceived stress. DNA methylation in the exon 1F promoter region of NR3C1 gene from the venous blood mononuclear cell genome was characterized by bisulfite sequencing. Correlation and linear regression were used for data analysis. The mean level of peritraumatic distress, perceived stress, and depression was 6.30 (SD = 5.09), 6.50 (SD = 5.41), and 6.60 (SD = 4.85), respectively, with 23.33% of pregnant women being depressed. The mean NR3C1 methylation was 0.65 (SD = 0.22). Prenatal depression was positively correlated with the degree of methylation in venous blood from the mother (r = 0.59, p = 0.001), and depression predicted methylation of NR3C1 gene at the CpG 8 site (β = 0.05, p = 0.03). No association was found between peritraumatic distress as well as perceived stress and methylation of NR3C1. NR3C1 gene was susceptible to epigenetic modification of DNA methylation in the context of prenatal stress, and maternal depression was associated with increased NR3C1 methylation among women who experienced COVID-19 lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaohong Ying
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengxi Zhai
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayu Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Population and Health Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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27
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Baker EC, Earnhardt AL, Cilkiz KZ, Collins HC, Littlejohn BP, Cardoso RC, Ghaffari N, Long CR, Riggs PK, Randel RD, Welsh TH, Riley DG. DNA methylation patterns and gene expression from amygdala tissue of mature Brahman cows exposed to prenatal stress. Front Genet 2022; 13:949309. [PMID: 35991551 PMCID: PMC9389044 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.949309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress can alter postnatal performance and temperament of cattle. These phenotypic effects may result from changes in gene expression caused by stress-induced epigenetic alterations. Specifically, shifts in gene expression caused by DNA methylation within the brain’s amygdala can result in altered behavior because it regulates fear, stress response and aggression in mammals Thus, the objective of this experiment was to identify DNA methylation and gene expression differences in the amygdala tissue of 5-year-old prenatally stressed (PNS) Brahman cows compared to control cows. Pregnant Brahman cows (n = 48) were transported for 2-h periods at 60 ± 5, 80 ± 5, 100 ± 5, 120 ± 5, and 140 ± 5 days of gestation. A non-transported group (n = 48) were controls (Control). Amygdala tissue was harvested from 6 PNS and 8 Control cows at 5 years of age. Overall methylation of gene body regions, promoter regions, and cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) islands were compared between the two groups. In total, 202 genes, 134 promoter regions, and 133 CpG islands exhibited differential methylation (FDR ≤ 0.15). Following comparison of gene expression in the amygdala between the PNS and Control cows, 2 differentially expressed genes were identified (FDR ≤ 0.15). The minimal differences observed could be the result of natural changes of DNA methylation and gene expression as an animal ages, or because this degree of transportation stress was not severe enough to cause lasting effects on the offspring. A younger age may be a more appropriate time to assess methylation and gene expression differences produced by prenatal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie C. Baker
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Audrey L. Earnhardt
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, TX, United States
| | - Kubra Z. Cilkiz
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Haley C. Collins
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Brittni P. Littlejohn
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, TX, United States
| | - Rodolfo C. Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Noushin Ghaffari
- Department of Computer Science, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United States
| | - Charles R. Long
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, TX, United States
| | - Penny K. Riggs
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ronald D. Randel
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, TX, United States
| | - Thomas H. Welsh
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, United States
| | - David G. Riley
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: David G. Riley,
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"The Mental Health Piece is Huge": perspectives on developing a prenatal maternal psychological intervention for congenital heart disease. Cardiol Young 2022; 32:1268-1275. [PMID: 34588092 DOI: 10.1017/s1047951121004030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women carrying a fetus diagnosed with congenital heart disease often experience significant distress because of their medical diagnosis. Given the well-documented impact associated with elevated prenatal stress and critical importance of developing targeted interventions, this study aims to examine stressors, coping and resilience resources, and mental health treatment preferences in pregnant women receiving a congenital heart disease diagnosis to inform the development of a psychological intervention to reduce maternal distress prenatally. METHODS Three groups of participants were included consisting of two pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease, five women of children (4-16 months) with congenital heart disease, and five paediatric cardiology medical providers. Responses were gathered via semi-structured interviews and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS Information regarding four broad areas were analysed of emotional distress during pregnancy; experience of initial diagnosis; coping and resilience; and perspectives on a mental health intervention in pregnancy. Anxiety regarding baby's future, guilt following diagnosis, and various coping strategies emerged as primary themes among the participant sample. Medical staff corroborated mothers' heightened anxiety and viewed a psychotherapeutic intervention during the prenatal period as essential and complimentary to standard of care. CONCLUSION We identified salient themes and preferred components for a future psychological intervention delivered prenatally. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Patients' and providers' perspectives regarding the nature of maternal distress, resilience and treatment preferences can inform the development of interventions to support the emotional well-being of pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease to optimise care and potentially improve outcomes for fetal brain development.
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Scheinost D, Chang J, Lacadie C, Brennan-Wydra E, Constable RT, Chawarska K, Ment LR. Functional connectivity for the language network in the developing brain: 30 weeks of gestation to 30 months of age. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3289-3301. [PMID: 34875024 PMCID: PMC9340393 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the neural scaffolding for language is putatively present before birth, the maturation of functional connections among the key nodes of the language network, Broca's and Wernicke's areas, is less known. We leveraged longitudinal and cross-sectional data from three sites collected through six studies to track the development of functional circuits between Broca's and Wernicke's areas from 30 weeks of gestation through 30 months of age in 127 unique participants. Using resting-state fMRI data, functional connectivity was calculated as the correlation between fMRI time courses from pairs of regions, defined as Broca's and Wernicke's in both hemispheres. The primary analysis evaluated 23 individuals longitudinally imaged from 30 weeks postmenstrual age (fetal) through the first postnatal month (neonatal). A secondary analysis in 127 individuals extended these curves into older infants and toddlers. These data demonstrated significant growth of interhemispheric connections including left Broca's and its homolog and left Wernicke's and its homolog from 30 weeks of gestation through the first postnatal month. In contrast, intrahemispheric connections did not show significant increases across this period. These data represent an important baseline for language systems in the developing brain against which to compare those neurobehavioral disorders with the potential fetal onset of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Scheinost
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Joseph Chang
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Cheryl Lacadie
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - R Todd Constable
- Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Katarzyna Chawarska
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Laura R Ment
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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Brady RG, Rogers CE, Prochaska T, Kaplan S, Lean RE, Smyser TA, Shimony JS, Slavich GM, Warner BB, Barch DM, Luby JL, Smyser CD. The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Neighborhood Crime on Neonatal Functional Connectivity. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:139-148. [PMID: 35428496 PMCID: PMC9257309 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal exposure to adversity during pregnancy has been found to affect infant brain development; however, the specific effect of prenatal crime exposure on neonatal brain connectivity remains unclear. Based on existing research, we hypothesized that living in a high-crime neighborhood during pregnancy would affect neonatal frontolimbic connectivity over and above other individual- and neighborhood-level adversity and that these associations would be mediated by maternal psychosocial stress. METHODS Participants included 399 pregnant women, recruited as part of the eLABE (Early Life Adversity, Biological Embedding, and Risk for Developmental Precursors of Mental Disorders) study. In the neonatal period, 319 healthy, nonsedated infants were scanned using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (repetition time = 800 ms; echo time = 37 ms; voxel size = 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 mm3; multiband = 8) on a Prisma 3T scanner and had at least 10 minutes of high-quality data. Crime data at the block group level were obtained from Applied Geographic Solution. Linear regressions and mediation models tested associations between crime, frontolimbic connectivity, and psychosocial stress. RESULTS Living in a neighborhood with high property crime during pregnancy was related to weaker neonatal functional connectivity between the thalamus-anterior default mode network (aDMN) (β = -0.15, 95% CI = -0.25 to -0.04, p = .008). Similarly, high neighborhood violent crime was related to weaker functional connectivity between the thalamus-aDMN (β = -0.16, 95% CI = -0.29 to -0.04, p = .01) and amygdala-hippocampus (β = -0.16, 95% CI = -0.29 to -0.03, p = .02), controlling for other types of adversity. Psychosocial stress partially mediated relationships between the thalamus-aDMN and both violent and property crime. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to crime is associated with weaker neonatal limbic and frontal functional brain connections, providing another reason for targeted public policy interventions to reduce crime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Brady
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Trinidi Prochaska
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sydney Kaplan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rachel E Lean
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Tara A Smyser
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joshua S Shimony
- Mallinckrot Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Barbara B Warner
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrot Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joan L Luby
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Mallinckrot Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Mueller M, Thompson B, Poppe T, Alsweiler J, Gamble G, Jiang Y, Leung M, Tottman AC, Wouldes T, Harding JE, Duerden EG. Amygdala subnuclei volumes, functional connectivity, and social–emotional outcomes in children born very preterm. Cereb Cortex Commun 2022; 3:tgac028. [PMID: 35990310 PMCID: PMC9383265 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Children born very preterm can demonstrate social-cognitive impairments, which may result from limbic system dysfunction. Altered development of the subnuclei of the amygdala, stress-sensitive regions involved in emotional processing, may be key predictors of social-skill development. In a prospective cohort study, 7-year-old children born very preterm underwent neurodevelopmental testing and brain MRI. The Child Behavioral Checklist was used to assess social–emotional outcomes. Subnuclei volumes were extracted automatically from structural scans (n = 69) and functional connectivity (n = 66) was examined. General Linear Models were employed to examine the relationships between amygdala subnuclei volumes and functional connectivity values and social–emotional outcomes. Sex was a significant predictor of all social–emotional outcomes (P < 0.05), with boys having poorer social–emotional outcomes. Smaller right basal nuclei volumes (B = -0.043, P = 0.014), smaller right cortical volumes (B = -0.242, P = 0.02) and larger right central nuclei volumes (B = 0.85, P = 0.049) were associated with increased social problems. Decreased connectivity strength between thalamic and amygdala networks and smaller right basal volumes were significant predictors of greater social problems (both, P < 0.05), effects which were stronger in girls (P = 0.025). Dysregulated maturation of the amygdala subnuclei, along with altered connectivity strength in stress-sensitive regions, may reflect stress-induced dysfunction and can be predictive of social–emotional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mueller
- Applied Psychology , Faculty of Education, , London N6G 1G7 , Canada
- Western University , Faculty of Education, , London N6G 1G7 , Canada
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Canada
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research , 17W Science Park , Hong Kong
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Tanya Poppe
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
- Centre for the Developing Brain, King’s College London , London , UK
| | - Jane Alsweiler
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Greg Gamble
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Yannan Jiang
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Myra Leung
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
- Discipline of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Canberra , Canberra , Australia
| | - Anna C Tottman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
- Neonatal Services, Royal Women’s Hospital , Melbourne , Australia
| | - Trecia Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Jane E Harding
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Emma G Duerden
- Applied Psychology , Faculty of Education, , London N6G 1G7 , Canada
- Western University , Faculty of Education, , London N6G 1G7 , Canada
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Mareckova K, Miles A, Liao Z, Andryskova L, Brazdil M, Paus T, Nikolova YS. Prenatal stress and its association with amygdala-related structural covariance patterns in youth. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 34:102976. [PMID: 35316668 PMCID: PMC8938327 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.102976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to stress predicts amygdala degree centrality in young adulthood. High (vs. low) stress group showed lower structural covariance degree of amygdala. These effects were particularly significant in men. Global network parameters did not drive these effects.
Background Prenatal stress influences brain development and mood disorder vulnerability. Brain structural covariance network (SCN) properties based on inter-regional volumetric correlations may reflect developmentally-mediated shared plasticity among regions. Childhood trauma is associated with amygdala-centric SCN reorganization patterns, however, the impact of prenatal stress on SCN properties remains unknown. Methods The study included participants from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) with archival prenatal stress data and structural MRI acquired in young adulthood (age 23–24). SCNs were constructed based on Freesurfer-extracted volumes of 7 subcortical and 34 cortical regions. We compared amygdala degree centrality, a measure of hubness, between those exposed to high vs. low (median split) prenatal stress, defined by maternal reports of stressful life events during the first (n = 93, 57% female) and second (n = 125, 54% female) half of pregnancy. Group differences were tested across network density thresholds (5–40%) using 10,000 permutations, with sex and intracranial volume as covariates, followed by sex-specific analyses. Finally, we sought to replicate our results in an independent all-male sample (n = 450, age 18–20) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Results The high-stress during the first half of pregnancy ELSPAC group showed lower amygdala degree particularly in men, who demonstrated this difference at 10 consecutive thresholds, with no significant differences in global network properties. At the lowest significant density threshold, amygdala volume was positively correlated with hippocampus, putamen, rostral anterior and posterior cingulate, transverse temporal, and pericalcarine cortex in the low-stress (p(FDR) < 0.027), but not the high-stress (p(FDR) > 0.882) group. Although amygdala degree was nominally lower across thresholds in the high-stress ALSPAC group, these results were not significant. Conclusion Unlike childhood trauma, prenatal stress may shift SCN towards a less amygdala-centric SCN pattern, particularly in men. These findings did not replicate in an all-male ALSPAC sample, possibly due to the sample’s younger age and lower prenatal stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Mareckova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Amy Miles
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhijie Liao
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lenka Andryskova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Brazdil
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Paus
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yuliya S Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Altered functional connectivity in children born very preterm at school age. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7308. [PMID: 35508563 PMCID: PMC9068715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Children born very preterm are at significant risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. This study sought to identify differences in cognitive function in children born very preterm compared to term-born controls and investigate alteration in white matter microstructure and functional connectivity (FC) based on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and resting-state functional MRI, respectively. At 6 years of age, 36 children born very preterm (< 32 weeks' gestation) without major neurological disabilities and 26 term-born controls were tested using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition, and Child Behavior Checklist. Whole-brain deterministic tractography and FC measurements were performed in both groups. The very preterm group had significantly lower intelligence scores than the term-born controls. The TBSS revealed no significant differences between the two groups, whereas FC was significantly increased between the frontoparietal network and the language network and was significantly decreased between the right salience network nodes in the very preterm group. The altered FC patterns between specific regions of the higher-order networks may reflect underlying deficits in the functional network architecture associated with cognitive function. Further studies are needed to demonstrate a direct connection between FC in these regions and cognitive function.
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Filippi CA, Valadez EA, Fox NA, Pine DS. Temperamental risk for anxiety: emerging work on the infant brain and later neurocognitive development. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022; 44:101105. [PMID: 35342779 PMCID: PMC8955382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral inhibition (BI), an infant temperament characterized by distress to novelty, is amongst the strongest early risk markers for future anxiety. In this review, we highlight three ways that recent research elucidates key details about the pathophysiology of anxiety in individuals with BI. First, atypical amygdala connectivity during infancy may be related to BI. Second, developmental shifts in cognitive control may portend risk for anxiety for children with BI. Lastly, distinct cognitive control processes moderate the BI-anxiety relation in different ways. Studying the intersection of these three streams of work may inform prevention or intervention work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Filippi
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Indicates shared first authorship
- Present address: Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Emilio A Valadez
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Indicates shared first authorship
| | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
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Wu Y, Espinosa KM, Barnett SD, Kapse A, Quistorff JL, Lopez C, Andescavage N, Pradhan S, Lu YC, Kapse K, Henderson D, Vezina G, Wessel D, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Association of Elevated Maternal Psychological Distress, Altered Fetal Brain, and Offspring Cognitive and Social-Emotional Outcomes at 18 Months. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e229244. [PMID: 35486403 PMCID: PMC9055453 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.9244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Prenatal maternal psychological distress is associated with disturbances in fetal brain development. However, the association between altered fetal brain development, prenatal maternal psychological distress, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the association of fetal brain development using 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumes, cortical folding, and metabolites in the setting of maternal psychological distress with infant 18-month neurodevelopment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Healthy mother-infant dyads were prospectively recruited into a longitudinal observational cohort study from January 2016 to October 2020 at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Data analysis was performed from January 2016 to July 2021. EXPOSURES Prenatal maternal stress, anxiety, and depression. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prenatal maternal stress, anxiety, and depression were measured using validated self-report questionnaires. Fetal brain volumes and cortical folding were measured from 3-dimensional, reconstructed T2-weighted MRI scans. Fetal brain creatine and choline were quantified using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Infant neurodevelopment at 18 months was measured using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III and Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. The parenting stress in the parent-child dyad was measured using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form at 18-month testing. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 97 mother-infant dyads (mean [SD] maternal age, 34.79 [5.64] years) who underwent 184 fetal MRI visits (87 participants with 2 fetal studies each) with maternal psychological distress measures between 24 and 40 gestational weeks and completed follow-up infant neurodevelopmental testing. Prenatal maternal stress was negatively associated with infant cognitive performance (β = -0.51; 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.09; P = .01), and this association was mediated by fetal left hippocampal volume. In addition, prenatal maternal anxiety, stress, and depression were positively associated with all parenting stress measures at 18-month testing. Finally, fetal cortical local gyrification index and sulcal depth were negatively associated with infant social-emotional performance (local gyrification index: β = -54.62; 95% CI, -85.05 to -24.19; P < .001; sulcal depth: β = -14.22; 95% CI, -23.59 to -4.85; P = .002) and competence scores (local gyrification index: β = -24.01; 95% CI, -40.34 to -7.69; P = .003; sulcal depth: β = -7.53; 95% CI, -11.73 to -3.32; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study of 97 mother-infant dyads, fetal cortical local gyrification index and sulcal depth were associated with infant 18-month social-emotional and competence outcomes, and fetal left hippocampal volume mediated the association between prenatal maternal stress and infant cognitive outcome. These findings suggest that altered prenatal brain development in the setting of elevated maternal distress has adverse infant sociocognitive outcomes, and identifying early biomarkers associated with long-term neurodevelopment may assist in early targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | | | - Scott D. Barnett
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Anushree Kapse
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | | | - Catherine Lopez
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | | | - Subechhya Pradhan
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Yuan-Chiao Lu
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Kushal Kapse
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Diedtra Henderson
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Gilbert Vezina
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - David Wessel
- Hospital and Specialty Services, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Adré J. du Plessis
- Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
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Boots A, Thomason ME, Espinoza-Heredia C, Pruitt PJ, Damoiseaux JS, Roseboom TJ, de Rooij SR. Sex-specific effects of prenatal undernutrition on resting-state functional connectivity in the human brain at age 68. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 112:129-138. [PMID: 35151035 PMCID: PMC9459445 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal nutrition may significantly impact brain aging. Results from the Dutch Famine Birth Cohort indicated that prenatal undernutrition is negatively associated with cognition, brain volumes, perfusion and structural brain aging in late life, predominantly in men. This study investigates the association between prenatal undernutrition and late-life functional brain network connectivity. In an exploratory resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study of 112 participants from the Dutch Famine Birth Cohort, we investigated whether the within- and between-network functional connectivity of the default mode network, salience network and central executive network differ at age 68 in men (N = 49) and women (N = 63) either exposed or unexposed to undernutrition in early gestation. Additionally, we explored sex-specific effects. Compared to unexposed participants, exposed participants revealed multiple clusters of different functional connectivity within and between the three networks studied. Sex-specific analyses suggested a pattern of network desegregation fitting with brain aging in men and a more diffuse pattern of group differences in women. This study demonstrates that associations between prenatal undernutrition and brain network functional connectivity extend late into life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Boots
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Moriah E Thomason
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claudia Espinoza-Heredia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick J Pruitt
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jessica S Damoiseaux
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne R de Rooij
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Vo Van P, Alison M, Morel B, Beck J, Bednarek N, Hertz-Pannier L, Loron G. Advanced Brain Imaging in Preterm Infants: A Narrative Review of Microstructural and Connectomic Disruption. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9030356. [PMID: 35327728 PMCID: PMC8947160 DOI: 10.3390/children9030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth disrupts the in utero environment, preventing the brain from fully developing, thereby causing later cognitive and behavioral disorders. Such cerebral alteration occurs beneath an anatomical scale, and is therefore undetectable by conventional imagery. Prematurity impairs the microstructure and thus the histological process responsible for the maturation, including the myelination. Cerebral MRI diffusion tensor imaging sequences, based on water’s motion into the brain, allows a representation of this maturation process. Similarly, the brain’s connections become disorganized. The connectome gathers structural and anatomical white matter fibers, as well as functional networks referring to remote brain regions connected one over another. Structural and functional connectivity is illustrated by tractography and functional MRI, respectively. Their organizations consist of core nodes connected by edges. This basic distribution is already established in the fetal brain. It evolves greatly over time but is compromised by prematurity. Finally, cerebral plasticity is nurtured by a lifetime experience at microstructural and macrostructural scales. A preterm birth causes a negative and early disruption, though it can be partly mitigated by positive stimuli based on developmental neonatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Vo Van
- Department of Neonatology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Femme Mère Enfant Hospital, 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69500 Bron, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Marianne Alison
- Service d’Imagerie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, APHP, 75019 Paris, France;
- U1141 Neurodiderot, Équipe 5 inDev, Inserm, CEA, Université de Paris, 75019 Paris, France;
| | - Baptiste Morel
- Pediatric Radiology Department, Clocheville Hospital, CHRU of Tours, 37000 Tours, France;
- UMR 1253, iB-Rain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Jonathan Beck
- Department of Neonatology, Reims University Hospital Alix de Champagne, 51100 Reims, France; (J.B.); (N.B.); (G.L.)
- CReSTIC EA 3804, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Nathalie Bednarek
- Department of Neonatology, Reims University Hospital Alix de Champagne, 51100 Reims, France; (J.B.); (N.B.); (G.L.)
- CReSTIC EA 3804, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Lucie Hertz-Pannier
- U1141 Neurodiderot, Équipe 5 inDev, Inserm, CEA, Université de Paris, 75019 Paris, France;
- NeuroSpin, CEA-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gauthier Loron
- Department of Neonatology, Reims University Hospital Alix de Champagne, 51100 Reims, France; (J.B.); (N.B.); (G.L.)
- CReSTIC EA 3804, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France
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Lee KS, Xiao J, Liew Z, Gau SSF, Tseng WL. Perinatal and birth correlates of childhood irritability in Taiwan's national epidemiological study. J Affect Disord 2022; 299:273-280. [PMID: 34906640 PMCID: PMC8767526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood irritability, characterized by low frustration tolerance and developmentally-inappropriate temper outbursts, is a transdiagnostic symptom in child psychiatry. Little is known regarding the influences of early experience and environmental exposure on irritability from a perinatal perspective. This study examined the associations between irritability and multiple perinatal and birth factors. METHODS Drawn Taiwan's National Epidemiological Study of Child Mental Disorders, 5124 children (2591 females) aged 7.7 to 14.6 years (mean 11.2 years) and their parents completed the Affective Reactivity Index, a well-established irritability measure. Parents completed a survey on parental, perinatal, and birth characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were performed to examine the associations between perinatal and birth characteristics and child irritability reported across informants. RESULTS Maternal smoking, vaginal bleeding, and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and phototherapy for jaundice >3 days were associated with high irritability after adjusting for child's age, sex, and parental characteristics. Findings were consistent across parent- and child-rated irritability. LIMITATIONS Retrospective assessment of early exposures may be subject to recall bias despite previously-established validity and reliability. Longitudinal research with prospective assessments of early life exposures is recommended to confirm our findings. This exploratory approach of multiple survey items also precludes more in-depth assessments of perinatal risks for developing irritability. CONCLUSIONS This study provides novel evidence suggesting a perinatal link with irritability in a national sample of youths. Given that irritability predicts adverse mental health and life outcomes, identifying its perinatal and birth predictors may inform early etiology, guiding timely assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Shu Lee
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Experimental Psychology, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Susan Shur-Fen Gau
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
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Beyond the neuron: Role of non-neuronal cells in stress disorders. Neuron 2022; 110:1116-1138. [PMID: 35182484 PMCID: PMC8989648 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stress disorders are leading causes of disease burden in the U.S. and worldwide, yet available therapies are fully effective in less than half of all individuals with these disorders. Although to date, much of the focus has been on neuron-intrinsic mechanisms, emerging evidence suggests that chronic stress can affect a wide range of cell types in the brain and periphery, which are linked to maladaptive behavioral outcomes. Here, we synthesize emerging literature and discuss mechanisms of how non-neuronal cells in limbic regions of brain interface at synapses, the neurovascular unit, and other sites of intercellular communication to mediate the deleterious, or adaptive (i.e., pro-resilient), effects of chronic stress in rodent models and in human stress-related disorders. We believe that such an approach may one day allow us to adopt a holistic "whole body" approach to stress disorder research, which could lead to more precise diagnostic tests and personalized treatment strategies. Stress is a major risk factor for many psychiatric disorders. Cathomas et al. review new insight into how non-neuronal cells mediate the deleterious effects, as well as the adaptive, protective effects, of stress in rodent models and human stress-related disorders.
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Song IG, Kim HS, Cho YM, Lim YN, Moon DS, Shin SH, Kim EK, Park J, Shin JE, Han J, Eun HS. Association between birth weight and neurodevelopmental disorders assessed using the Korean National Health Insurance Service claims data. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2080. [PMID: 35136157 PMCID: PMC8827104 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06094-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in low birth weight (LBW) infants has gained recognition but remains debatable. We investigated the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in school-aged children according to their birth weight. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance claims data of 2,143,652 children who were born between 2008 and 2012. Gestational age of infants was not available; thus, outcomes were not adjusted with it. Not only infants with birth weights of < 1.5 kg, but also 2.0–2.4 kg and 1.5–1.9 kg were associated with having ADHD; odds ratio (OR), 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33–1.50), and 1.49 (95% CI 1.33–1.66), respectively. The OR in infants with birth weights of 2.0–2.4 kg and 1.5–1.9 kg was 1.91 (95% CI 1.79–2.05) and 3.25 (95% CI 2.95–3.59), respectively, indicating increased odds of having ASD. Subgroup analysis for children without perinatal diseases showed similar results. In this national cohort, infants with birth weights of < 2.5 kg were associated with ADHD and ASD, regardless of perinatal history. Children born with LBW need detailed clinical follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Gyu Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Han-Suk Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehak-ro, Jungno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoon-Min Cho
- Health Insurance Research Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, South Korea
| | - You-Na Lim
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Duk-Soo Moon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Seung Han Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehak-ro, Jungno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ee-Kyung Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehak-ro, Jungno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonsik Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungho Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ho Seon Eun
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Differential age-dependent development of inter-area brain connectivity in term and preterm neonates. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1017-1025. [PMID: 35094022 PMCID: PMC9586860 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-01939-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among preterm infants, higher morbidities of neurological disturbances and developmental delays are critical issues. Resting-state networks (RSNs) in the brain are suitable measures for assessing higher-level neurocognition. Since investigating task-related brain activity is difficult in neonates, assessment of RSNs provides invaluable insight into their neurocognitive development. METHODS The participants, 32 term and 71 preterm neonates, were divided into three groups based on gestational age (GA) at birth. Cerebral hemodynamic activity of RSNs was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy in the temporal, frontal, and parietal regions. RESULTS High-GA preterm infants (GA ≥ 30 weeks) had a significantly stronger RSN than low-GA preterm infants and term infants. Regression analyses of RSNs as a function of postnatal age (PNA) revealed a steeper regression line in the high-GA preterm and term infants than in the low-GA infants, particularly for inter-area brain connectivity between the frontal and left temporal areas. CONCLUSIONS Slower PNA-dependent development of the frontal-temporal network found only in the low-GA group suggests that significant brain growth optimal in the intrauterine environment takes place before 30 weeks of gestation. The present study suggests a likely reason for the high incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment in early preterm infants. IMPACT Resting-state fNIRS measurements in three neonate groups differing in gestational age (GA) showed stronger networks in the high-GA preterm infants than in the term and low-GA infants, which was partly explained by postnatal age (PNA). Regression analyses revealed a similar PNA-dependence in the development of the inter-area networks in the frontal and temporal lobes in the high-GA and term infants, and significantly slower development in the low-GA infants. These results suggest that optimal intrauterine brain growth takes place before 30 weeks of gestation. This explains one of the reasons for the high incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment in early preterm infants.
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Kanel D, Vanes LD, Ball G, Hadaya L, Falconer S, Counsell SJ, Edwards AD, Nosarti C. OUP accepted manuscript. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac009. [PMID: 35178519 PMCID: PMC8846580 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Very preterm children are more likely to exhibit difficulties in socio-emotional processing than their term-born peers. Emerging socio-emotional problems may be partly due to alterations in limbic system development associated with infants’ early transition to extrauterine life. The amygdala is a key structure in this system and plays a critical role in various aspects of socio-emotional development, including emotion regulation. The current study tested the hypothesis that amygdala resting-state functional connectivity at term-equivalent age would be associated with socio-emotional outcomes in childhood. Participants were 129 very preterm infants (<33 weeks' gestation) who underwent resting-state functional MRI at term and received a neurodevelopmental assessment at 4–7 years (median = 4.64). Using the left and right amygdalae as seed regions, we investigated associations between whole-brain seed-based functional connectivity and three socio-emotional outcome factors which were derived using exploratory factor analysis (Emotion Moderation, Social Function and Empathy), controlling for sex, neonatal sickness, post-menstrual age at scan and social risk. Childhood Emotion Moderation scores were significantly associated with neonatal resting-state functional connectivity of the right amygdala with right parahippocampal gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus, as well as with functional connectivity of the left amygdala with the right thalamus. No significant associations were found between amygdalar resting-state functional connectivity and either Social Function or Empathy scores. The current findings show that amygdalar functional connectivity assessed at term is associated with later socio-emotional outcomes in very preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Kanel
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy D. Vanes
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Gareth Ball
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Laila Hadaya
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Shona Falconer
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Serena J. Counsell
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Chiara Nosarti
- Correspondence to: Chiara Nosarti Centre for the Developing Brain School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences King’s College London and Evelina Children’s Hospital London SE1 7EH, UK E-mail:
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Abd Aziz CB, Ahmad AH, Hasim H. Pain response following prenatal stress and its modulation by antioxidants. TREATMENTS, MECHANISMS, AND ADVERSE REACTIONS OF ANESTHETICS AND ANALGESICS 2022:487-497. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820237-1.00041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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Roubinov D, Meaney MJ, Boyce WT. Change of pace: How developmental tempo varies to accommodate failed provision of early needs. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:120-134. [PMID: 34547365 PMCID: PMC8648258 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The interplay of genes and environments (GxE) is a fundamental source of variation in behavioral and developmental outcomes. Although the role of developmental time (T) in the unfolding of such interactions has yet to be fully considered, GxE operates within a temporal frame of reference across multiple timescales and degrees of biological complexity. Here, we consider GxExT interactions to understand adversity-induced developmental acceleration or deceleration whereby environmental conditions hasten or hinder children's development. To date, developmental pace changes have been largely explained through a focus on the individual: for example, how adversity "wears down" aging biological systems or how adversity accelerates or decelerates maturation to optimize reproductive fitness. We broaden such theories by positing shifts in developmental pace in response to the parent-child dyad's capacity or incapacity for meeting children's early, physiological and safety needs. We describe empirical evidence and potential neurobiological mechanisms supporting this new conceptualization of developmental acceleration and deceleration. We conclude with suggestions for future research on the developmental consequences of early adverse exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Roubinov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3H 1R4, Canada; Child and Brain Development Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A ⁎STAR), 117609, Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - W Thomas Boyce
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States; Child and Brain Development Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1M1, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, United States
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Dufford AJ, Spann M, Scheinost D. How prenatal exposures shape the infant brain: Insights from infant neuroimaging studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:47-58. [PMID: 34536461 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.017] [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] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Brain development during the prenatal period is rapid and unparalleled by any other time during development. Biological systems undergoing rapid development are at higher risk for disorganizing influences. Therefore, certain prenatal exposures impact brain development, increasing risk for negative neurodevelopmental outcome. While prenatal exposures have been associated with cognitive and behavioral outcomes later in life, the underlying macroscopic brain pathways remain unclear. Here, we review magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies investigating the association between prenatal exposures and infant brain development focusing on prenatal exposures via maternal physical health factors, maternal mental health factors, and maternal drug and medication use. Further, we discuss the need for studies to consider multiple prenatal exposures in parallel and suggest future directions for this body of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marisa Spann
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Dustin Scheinost
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, USA; Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Rezaei Z, Jafari Z, Afrashteh N, Torabi R, Singh S, Kolb BE, Davidsen J, Mohajerani MH. Prenatal stress dysregulates resting-state functional connectivity and sensory motifs. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100345. [PMID: 34124321 PMCID: PMC8173309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PS) can impact fetal brain structure and function and contribute to higher vulnerability to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. To understand how PS alters evoked and spontaneous neocortical activity and intrinsic brain functional connectivity, mesoscale voltage imaging was performed in adult C57BL/6NJ mice that had been exposed to auditory stress on gestational days 12-16, the age at which neocortex is developing. PS mice had a four-fold higher basal corticosterone level and reduced amplitude of cortical sensory-evoked responses to visual, auditory, whisker, forelimb, and hindlimb stimuli. Relative to control animals, PS led to a general reduction of resting-state functional connectivity, as well as reduced inter-modular connectivity, enhanced intra-modular connectivity, and altered frequency of auditory and forelimb spontaneous sensory motifs. These resting-state changes resulted in a cortical connectivity pattern featuring disjoint but tight modules and a decline in network efficiency. The findings demonstrate that cortical connectivity is sensitive to PS and exposed offspring may be at risk for adult stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rezaei
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Zahra Jafari
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Navvab Afrashteh
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Reza Torabi
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Surjeet Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Bryan E. Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
| | - Jörn Davidsen
- Complexity Science Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4
| | - Majid H. Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4
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Abstract
Advances in neuroimaging have increasingly enabled researchers to investigate whether alterations in brain development commonly identified in preterm infants underlie their high risk of long-term neurodevelopmental impairment, including sensory, motor, cognitive, and psychiatric deficits. This review begins by examining the growing body of literature utilizing advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to probe structural (via diffusion MRI) and functional (via resting state-functional MRI) connectivity development in the preterm brain during the neonatal period, both in the presence and absence of brain injury. It then details the recent work linking neonatal brain connectivity measures to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric outcomes in prematurely-born cohorts. Finally, building upon the recent substantive growth in the utilization of these neuroimaging modalities, it concludes by highlighting areas in which continued optimization of age-specific acquisition and analysis techniques for these data remains necessary, efforts fundamental to advancing the field toward establishing individual-level predictive capabilities in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Brenner
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Muriah D Wheelock
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jeffrey J Neil
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
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48
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Mountain RV, Zhu Y, Pickett OR, Lussier AA, Goldstein JM, Roffman JL, Bidlack FB, Dunn EC. Association of Maternal Stress and Social Support During Pregnancy With Growth Marks in Children's Primary Tooth Enamel. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2129129. [PMID: 34751761 PMCID: PMC8579236 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.29129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Exposure to maternal psychosocial stressors during the prenatal and perinatal periods can have major long-term mental health consequences for children. However, valid and inexpensive biomarkers are currently unavailable to identify children who have been exposed to psychosocial stress and the buffers of stress exposure. OBJECTIVE To assess whether a growth mark in tooth enamel, the neonatal line, is associated with exposure to prenatal and perinatal maternal psychosocial factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study used exfoliated primary canine teeth and epidemiological survey data from 70 children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a birth cohort based in Bristol, England. Exfoliated teeth were collected from children at 5 to 7 years of age. Data were collected from January 1, 1991, to December 31, 1998, and were analyzed from January 1, 2019, to August 10, 2021. EXPOSURES Four types of prenatal and perinatal maternal psychosocial factors were studied: stressful life events, psychopathological history, neighborhood disadvantage, and social support. Data were collected from mailed-in questionnaires completed during and shortly after pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Neonatal line width measured within 3 portions of the tooth crown (the cuspal, middle, and innermost third) in exfoliated primary canines. RESULTS A total of 70 children (34 of 70 [48.7%] male; 63 of 67 [94.0%] White) were studied. Most children were born full term (57 [83.8%]) and to mothers of typical child-bearing age (60 [88.2%]). Neonatal lines were wider in the canines of children born to mothers who self-reported severe lifetime depression (β = 3.35; 95% CI, 1.48-5.23; P = .001), any lifetime psychiatric problems (β = 2.66; 95% CI, 0.92-4.41; P = .003), or elevated anxiety or depressive symptoms at 32 weeks' gestation (β = 2.29; 95% CI, 0.38-4.20; P = .02). By contrast, neonatal lines were narrower in children born to mothers who self-reported high social support shortly after birth (β = -2.04; 95% CI, -3.70 to -0.38; P = .02). The magnitude of these associations was large, up to 1.2 SD unit differences, and persisted after adjusting for other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, neonatal line width was associated with exposure to maternal perinatal psychosocial factors. Replication and validation of these findings can further evaluate teeth as possible new biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca V. Mountain
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Olivia R. Pickett
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Alexandre A. Lussier
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Jill M. Goldstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
- Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Joshua L. Roffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Felicitas B. Bidlack
- Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erin C. Dunn
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
- Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
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49
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Dufford AJ, Salzwedel AP, Gilmore JH, Gao W, Kim P. Maternal trait anxiety symptoms, frontolimbic resting-state functional connectivity, and cognitive development in infancy. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22166. [PMID: 34292595 PMCID: PMC10775911 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to maternal anxiety symptoms during infancy has been associated with difficulties in development and greater risk for developing anxiety later in life. Although previous studies have examined associations between prenatal maternal distress, infant brain development, and developmental outcomes, it is still largely unclear if there are associations between postnatal anxiety, infant brain development, and cognitive development in infancy. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the association between maternal anxiety symptoms and resting-state functional connectivity in the first year of life. We also examine the association between frontolimbic functional connectivity and infant cognitive development. The sample consisted of 21 infants (mean age = 24.15 months, SD = 4.17) that were scanned during their natural sleep using. We test the associations between maternal trait anxiety symptoms and amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) functional connectivity, a neural circuit implicated in early life stress exposure. We also test the associations between amygdala-ACC connectivity and cognitive development. We found a significant negative association between maternal trait anxiety symptoms and left amygdala-right ACC functional connectivity (p < .05, false discovery rate corrected). We found a significant negative association between left amygdala-right ACC functional connectivity and infant cognitive development (p < .05). These findings have potential implications for understanding the role of postpartum maternal anxiety symptoms in functional brain and cognitive development in infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew P. Salzwedel
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - John H. Gilmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
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50
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Thomason ME, Hect JL, Waller R, Curtin P. Interactive relations between maternal prenatal stress, fetal brain connectivity, and gestational age at delivery. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:1839-1847. [PMID: 34188185 PMCID: PMC8357800 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Studies reporting significant associations between maternal prenatal stress and child outcomes are frequently confounded by correlates of prenatal stress that influence the postnatal rearing environment. The major objective of this study is to identify whether maternal prenatal stress is associated with variation in human brain functional connectivity prior to birth. We utilized fetal fMRI in 118 fetuses [48 female; mean age 32.9 weeks (SD = 3.87)] to evaluate this association and further addressed whether fetal neural differences were related to maternal health behaviors, social support, or birth outcomes. Community detection was used to empirically define networks and enrichment was used to isolate differential within- or between-network connectivity effects. Significance for χ2 enrichment was determined by randomly permuting the subject pairing of fetal brain connectivity and maternal stress values 10,000 times. Mixtures modelling was used to test whether fetal neural differences were related to maternal health behaviors, social support, or birth outcomes. Increased maternal prenatal negative affect/stress was associated with alterations in fetal frontoparietal, striatal, and temporoparietal connectivity (β = 0.82, p < 0.001). Follow-up analysis demonstrated that these associations were stronger in women with better health behaviors, more positive interpersonal support, and lower overall stress (β = 0.16, p = 0.02). Additionally, magnitude of stress-related differences in neural connectivity was marginally correlated with younger gestational age at delivery (β = -0.18, p = 0.05). This is the first evidence that negative affect/stress during pregnancy is reflected in functional network differences in the human brain in utero, and also provides information about how positive interpersonal and health behaviors could mitigate prenatal brain programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriah E Thomason
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Population Health, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jasmine L Hect
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh & Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Waller
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paul Curtin
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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