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Habersham LL, Hurd YL, Nomura Y. The longitudinal assessment of prenatal cannabis use on neonatal outcomes. J Perinatol 2024:10.1038/s41372-024-02027-w. [PMID: 38890400 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-02027-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between prenatal cannabis use and perinatal outcomes using longitudinal data from pregnant individuals. STUDY DESIGN This secondary-data analysis study utilized data collected from 894 pregnant individuals followed in the Stress in Pregnancy longitudinal study, conducted between 2009 and 2013. The status of cannabis use was ascertained through interviews and electronic medical record reviews to evaluate the effect of cannabis use on perinatal outcomes (NICU admission, preterm delivery, low birth weight, fetal death). RESULTS Among participants analyzed, 13.1% used cannabis, who were generally younger (25.9 vs 27.9 years). There was a sevenfold increased risk of fetal death (OR 7.30) among cannabis users relative to non-users. Elevated risk persisted after adjustments of potential confounders (aOR 6.31). Adjusted models also suggested increased low birth weight risk (aOR 1.67). CONCLUSION This study highlights an association between prenatal cannabis use and elevated risks for fetal death and low birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah L Habersham
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, US.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, US.
- Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, US.
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, US
- Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, US
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Queens College and Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, US
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Lipschutz R, Kulesz PA, Elgbeili G, Biekman B, Laplante DP, Olson DM, King S, Bick J. Maternal mental health mediates the effect of prenatal stress on infant temperament: The Harvey Mom Study. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:893-907. [PMID: 37078447 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000160] [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] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stress and mental health problems are known to increase risk for developmental psychopathology in offspring, yet pathways leading to risk or resiliency are poorly understood. In a quasi-experimental design, we prospectively examined associations between disaster-related prenatal stress, maternal mental health symptoms, and infant temperament outcomes. Mothers who were pregnant during Hurricane Harvey (N = 527) reported on objective hardships (e.g., loss of belongings or income, evacuation, home flooding) related to the storm and subsequent mental health symptoms (anxiety/depression, posttraumatic stress) across time. At a postpartum assessment, mothers reported on their infant's temperament (negative affect, positive affect, orienting/regulatory capacity). Greater objective hardship indirectly predicted higher levels of infant orienting/regulatory capacity through its association with increased maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms. Greater objective hardship also indirectly predicted higher levels of infant negative affect through its association with increased maternal anxiety/depression symptoms across time. Our findings suggest a psychological mechanism linking prenatal stress with specific temperamental characteristics via maternal mental health symptoms. Findings point to the importance of high-quality assessment and mental health services for vulnerable women and young children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulina A Kulesz
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Brian Biekman
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David P Laplante
- Lady Davis Institute - Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Suzanne King
- Psychosocial Research Unit, Douglas Research Centre, Verdun, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Johanna Bick
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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O'Neill S, Nomura Y. Prenatal Stress Exposure Amplifies Effect of Maternal Suicidal Ideation on Early Childhood Behavioral Trajectories. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1257-1271. [PMID: 37067623 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01062-z] [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: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The in utero environment influences fetal development and may predispose to disease later in life. This study examines whether maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy is associated with children's behavioral trajectories across early childhood, and whether prenatal maternal traumatic stress accelerates the trajectories. The study included mother-child dyads (N = 331, 51.1% boys) from the longitudinal Stress In Pregnancy study; 31.1% (n = 103) mothers were Exposed to Superstorm Sandy. During their second trimester, 12.4% (n = 41) women reported suicidal ideation during pregnancy. Mothers completed the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children-2 annually from ages 2- to 6-years-old to assess multiple behavioral domains. Hierarchical linear modeling estimated within-person longitudinal trajectories of clinical behaviors, and between-person effects of maternal suicidal ideation and disaster-related stress in utero on changes in child behavior. For children exposed to both risks, Atypical behaviors (i.e., unusual behaviors, social disconnection) increased linearly across early childhood. Exposure to Superstorm Sandy and maternal suicidal ideation were independently associated with non-linear increases in Anxiety severity and maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy was associated with a linear increase in Attention problems across early childhood. Maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for a range of behavioral and emotional difficulties in early childhood and the trajectory of atypical behaviors was amplified by disaster-related traumatic stress. Findings highlight the need for health professionals to screen for suicidal ideation among their pregnant patients. Pregnant women who experience severe stress may require additional monitoring and support to reduce risk for poorer early childhood outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah O'Neill
- Psychology Department, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Psychology Department, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Psychology Department, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
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Nomura Y, Ham J, Pehme PM, Wong W, Pritchett L, Rabinowitz S, Foldi NS, Hinton VJ, Wickramaratne PJ, Hurd YL. Association of maternal exposure to Superstorm Sandy and maternal cannabis use with development of psychopathology among offspring: the Stress in Pregnancy Study. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e94. [PMID: 37231817 PMCID: PMC10228222 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life adverse experiences can elevate the magnitude of the risk of developmental psychopathology, but the potential synergistic effects of multiple factors have not been well studied. AIMS To determine whether prenatal exposures to maternal stress (Superstorm Sandy) and maternal cannabis use synergistically alter the risk of developmental psychopathology. METHOD The study included 163 children (53.4% girls), longitudinally tracked (ages 2-5 years) in relation to the effects of two early-life adverse exposures (Superstorm Sandy and maternal cannabis use). Offspring were grouped by exposure status (neither, only maternal cannabis use, only Superstorm Sandy or both). DSM-IV disorders for offspring were derived from structured clinical interviews; caregiver-reported ratings of family stress and social support were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 40.5% had been exposed to Superstorm Sandy and 24.5% to maternal cannabis use. Offspring exposed to both (n = 13, 8.0%), relative to those exposed to neither, had a 31-fold increased risk of disruptive behavioural disorders (DBDs) and a seven-fold increased risk of anxiety disorders. The synergy index demonstrated that offspring with two exposures had synergistic elevation in risk of DBDs (synergy index, 2.06, P = 0.03) and anxiety disorders (synergy index, 2.60, P = 0.004), compared with the sum of single risks. Offspring with two exposures had the highest parenting stress and lowest social support. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with the double-hit model suggesting that offspring with multiple early-life adverse exposures (Superstorm Sandy and maternal cannabis use) have synergistically increased risks of mental health problems. Given the increasing frequency of major natural disasters and cannabis use, especially among women under stress, these findings have significant public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nomura
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA; and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Ham
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Patricia M. Pehme
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Waiman Wong
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Lexi Pritchett
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA; and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | - Nancy S. Foldi
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA; and Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Brain Health Imaging Institute, New York, USA
| | - Veronica J. Hinton
- Department of Psychology, CUNY Queens College and Graduate Center, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Priya J. Wickramaratne
- Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - Yasmin L. Hurd
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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Demirci GM, DeIngeniis D, Wong WM, Shereen AD, Nomura Y, Tsai CL. Superstorm Sandy exposure in utero is associated with neurobehavioral phenotypes and brain structure alterations in childhood: A machine learning approach. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1113927. [PMID: 36816117 PMCID: PMC9932505 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1113927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prenatal maternal stress (PNMS), including exposure to natural disasters, has been shown to serve as a risk factor for future child psychopathology and suboptimal brain development, particularly among brain regions shown to be sensitive to stress and trauma exposure. However, statistical approaches deployed in most studies are usually constrained by a limited number of variables for the sake of statistical power. Explainable machine learning, on the other hand, enables the study of high data dimension and offers novel insights into the prominent subset of behavioral phenotypes and brain regions most susceptible to PNMS. In the present study, we aimed to identify the most important child neurobehavioral and brain features associated with in utero exposure to Superstorm Sandy (SS). Methods By leveraging an explainable machine learning technique, the Shapley additive explanations method, we tested the marginal feature effect on SS exposures and examined the individual variable effects on disaster exposure. Results Results show that certain brain regions are especially sensitive to in utero exposure to SS. Specifically, in utero SS exposure was associated with larger gray matter volume (GMV) in the right caudate, right hippocampus, and left amygdala and smaller GMV in the right parahippocampal gyrus. Additionally, higher aggression scores at age 5 distinctly correlated with SS exposure. Discussion These findings suggest in utero SS exposure may be associated with greater aggression and suboptimal developmental alterations among various limbic and basal ganglia brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde M. Demirci
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Donato DeIngeniis
- Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wai Man Wong
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
- Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - A. Duke Shereen
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yoko Nomura
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
- Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Chia-Ling Tsai
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
- Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
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Sujan AC, Young-Wolff KC, Avalos LA. In-utero cannabis exposure and long-term psychiatric and neurodevelopmental outcomes: The limitations of existing literature and recommendations for future research. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:689-713. [PMID: 35708102 PMCID: PMC9357094 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Given increases in cannabis use in pregnancy and animal model research showing effects of in-utero cannabis exposure, high-quality information on long-term consequences of in-utero cannabis exposure in humans is needed. While reviews have summarized findings from observational studies with humans, reviews have not focused on limitations of these studies and recommendations for future research. Therefore, we critically reviewed observational research on in-utero cannabis exposure and psychiatric and neurodevelopmental outcomes measured at or after age 3 and provided recommendations for future research. We used Web of Science, Google Scholar, and work cited from relevant identified publications to identify 46 papers to include in our review. Our review includes two main sections. The first section highlights the extensive limitations of the existing research, which include small and nongeneralizable samples, reliance on self-reported data, lack of detail on timing and amount of exposure, inclusion of older exposure data only, not accounting for important confounders, inclusion of potential mediators as covariates, not including outcome severity measures, and not assessing for offspring sex differences. The second section provides recommendations for future research regarding exposure and outcome measures, sample selection, confounder adjustment, and other methodological considerations. For example, with regard to exposure definition, we recommend that studies quantify the amount of cannabis exposure, evaluate the influence of timing of exposure, and incorporate biological measures (e.g., urine toxicology measures). Given that high-quality information on long-term consequences of in-utero cannabis exposure in humans does not yet exit, it is crucial for future research to address the limitations we have identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha C Sujan
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Kelly C Young-Wolff
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lyndsay A Avalos
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
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Buthmann J, Huang D, Casaccia P, O’Neill S, Nomura Y, Liu J. Prenatal Exposure to a Climate-Related Disaster Results in Changes of the Placental Transcriptome and Infant Temperament. Front Genet 2022; 13:887619. [PMID: 35571026 PMCID: PMC9099074 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.887619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal stress during pregnancy exerts long-term effects on the mental well-being of the offspring. However, the long-term effect of prenatal exposure on the offspring's mental status is only partially understood. The placenta plays a vital role in connecting the maternal side to the fetus, thereby serving as an important interface between maternal exposure and fetal development. Here, we profiled the placental transcriptome of women who were pregnant during a hurricane (Superstorm Sandy), which struck New York City in 2012. The offspring were followed longitudinally and their temperament was assessed during the first 6-12 months of age. The data identified a significant correlation between a Superstorm Sandy stress factor score and infant temperament. Further, analysis of the placental transcriptomes identified an enrichment of functional pathways related to inflammation, extracellular matrix integrity and sensory perception in the specimen from those infants with "Slow-to-Warm-up" temperament during the first year of life. Together, these findings provide initial evidence that maternal exposure to climate-related disasters results in altered placental transcriptome, which may be related to long-term emotional and behavioral consequences in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Buthmann
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Dennis Huang
- The Graduate Center at the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Patrizia Casaccia
- Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, Neuroscience Initiative, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sarah O’Neill
- The Graduate Center at the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,The City College of New York at the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, Neuroscience Initiative, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Jia Liu, ; Yoko Nomura,
| | - Jia Liu
- Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, Neuroscience Initiative, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Jia Liu, ; Yoko Nomura,
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8
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Maternal cannabis use is associated with suppression of immune gene networks in placenta and increased anxiety phenotypes in offspring. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106115118. [PMID: 34782458 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106115118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While cannabis is among the most used recreational drugs during pregnancy, the impact of maternal cannabis use (mCB) on fetal and child development remains unclear. Here, we assessed the effects of mCB on psychosocial and physiological measures in young children along with the potential relevance of the in utero environment reflected in the placental transcriptome. Children (∼3 to 6 y) were assessed for hair hormone levels, neurobehavioral traits on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) survey, and heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during auditory startle. For a subset of children with behavioral assessments, placental specimens collected at birth were processed for RNA sequencing. Hair hormone analysis revealed increased cortisol levels in mCB children. In addition, mCB was associated with greater anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity. Children with mCB also showed a reduction in the high-frequency component of HRV at baseline, reflecting reduced vagal tone. In the placenta, there was reduced expression of many genes involved in immune system function including type I interferon, neutrophil, and cytokine-signaling pathways. Finally, several of these mCB-linked immune genes organized into coexpression networks that correlated with child anxiety and hyperactivity. Overall, our findings reveal a relationship between mCB and immune response gene networks in the placenta as a potential mediator of risk for anxiety-related problems in early childhood.
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Nomura Y, Rompala G, Pritchett L, Aushev V, Chen J, Hurd YL. Natural disaster stress during pregnancy is linked to reprogramming of the placenta transcriptome in relation to anxiety and stress hormones in young offspring. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6520-6530. [PMID: 33981007 PMCID: PMC8586067 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01123-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal stress can lead to long-term adverse effects that increase the risk of anxiety and other emotional disorders in offspring. The in utero underpinnings contributing to such phenotypes remain unknown. We profiled the transcriptome of placental specimens from women who lived through Hurricane Sandy during pregnancy compared to those pregnant during non-Sandy conditions. Following birth, longitudinal assessments were conducted in their offspring during childhood (~3-4 years old) to measure steroid hormones (in hair) and behavioral and emotional problems. This revealed a significant link between prenatal Sandy stress (PNSS) and child HPA dysfunction, evident by altered cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and cortisol:DHEA levels. In addition, PNSS was associated with significantly increased anxiety and aggression. These findings coincided with significant reorganization of the placental transcriptome via vascular, immune, and endocrine gene pathways. Interestingly, many of the most prominently altered genes were known to be uniquely expressed in syncytiotrophoblast (STB)-subtype of placental cells and harbored glucocorticoid response elements in promoter regions. Finally, several vascular development- and immune-related placental gene sets were found to mediate the relationship between PNSS and childhood phenotypes. Overall, these findings suggest that natural disaster-related stress during pregnancy reprograms the placental molecular signature, potentially driving long-lasting changes in stress regulation and emotional health. Further examination of placental mechanisms may elucidate the environment's contribution to subsequent risk for anxiety disorders later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nomura
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States,CUNY, The Graduate Center, Psychology, Graduate School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gregory Rompala
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lexi Pritchett
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States,CUNY, The Graduate Center, Psychology, Graduate School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vasily Aushev
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Yasmin L. Hurd
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Aushev VN, Li Q, Deyssenroth M, Zhang W, Finik J, Hurd YL, Nomura Y, Chen J. Placental gene network modules are associated with maternal stress during pregnancy and infant temperament. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21922. [PMID: 34533879 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100144rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy (MPSP) is a known contributor to maladaptive neurobehavioral development of the offspring; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms linking MPSP with childhood outcome remain largely unknown. Transcriptome-wide gene expression data were generated using RNA-seq from placenta samples collected in a multi-ethnic urban birth cohort in New York City (n = 129). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to characterize placental co-expression modules, which were then evaluated for their associations with MPSP and infant temperament. WGCNA revealed 16 gene coexpression modules. One module, enriched for regulation of chromosome organization/gene expression, was positively associated with MPSP and negatively associated with Regulatory Capacity (REG), a component of infant temperament. Two other modules, enriched for cotranslational protein targeting and cell cycle regulation, respectively, displayed negative associations with MPSP and positive associations with REG. A module enriched with oxidative phosphorylation/mitochondrial translation was positively associated with REG. These findings support the notion that the placenta provides a functional in utero link between MPSP and infant temperament, possibly through transcriptional regulation of placental gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily N Aushev
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maya Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Psychology, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jackie Finik
- Department of Psychology at Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology at Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Finik J, Buthmann J, Zhang W, Go K, Nomura Y. Placental Gene Expression and Offspring Temperament Trajectories: Predicting Negative Affect in Early Childhood. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:783-795. [PMID: 32185610 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00632-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal stress increases offspring risk for long-term neurobehavioral impairments and psychopathology, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid pathway genes may be a potential underlying mechanism by which maternal conditions 'program' the fetal brain for downstream vulnerabilities. The present study aims to investigate whether mRNA expression of glucocorticoid pathway genes in the placenta predict offspring negative affect during early childhood (between 6 and 24 months). Participants include 318 mother-child dyads participating in a longitudinal birth cohort study. Placental mRNA expression of glucocorticoid pathway genes (HSD11B1, HSD11B2, NR3C1, NCOR2) were profiled and negative affect traits of the offspring were measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. HSD11B1 mRNA expression significantly predicted negative affect (β = -.09, SE = .04; p = .036), and Distress to Limitations trajectories (β = -.13, SE = .06; p = .016). NCOR2 mRNA expression significantly predicted Distress to Limitations (β = .43, SE = .21; p = .047), and marginally predicted Sadness trajectories (β = .39, SE = .21; p = .068). HSD11B2 and NR3C1 did not predict trajectories of Negative Affect or subscale scores. Infant negative affect traits were assessed via maternal self-report, and deviated from linearity across follow-up. mRNA expression of glucocorticoid pathway genes in the placenta may be a potentially novel tool for early identification of infants at greater risk for elevated negative affect. Further study is needed to validate the utility of mRNA expression of glucocorticoid pathway genes in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Finik
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 55 W 125th St., New York, NY, 10027, USA.
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA.
| | - J Buthmann
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
- CUNY Graduate Center, Department of Psychology, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - W Zhang
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
- New Jersey City University, Department of Psychology, 2039 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ, 07305, USA
| | - K Go
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
- Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33314, USA
| | - Y Nomura
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
- CUNY Graduate Center, Department of Psychology, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center, 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, 1 Gustave Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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Zhang W, Ham J, Li Q, Deyssenroth MA, Lambertini L, Huang Y, Tsuchiya KJ, Chen J, Nomura Y. Moderate prenatal stress may buffer the impact of Superstorm Sandy on placental genes: Stress in Pregnancy (SIP) Study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226605. [PMID: 31995614 PMCID: PMC6988921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta plays a central role in the epigenetic programming of neurodevelopment by prenatal stress (PS), but this pathway is not fully understood. It difficult to study in humans because the conditions for intense, traumatic PS are almost impossible to create ethically. This study was able to capitalize on a 2012 disaster that hit New York, Superstorm Sandy, to examine the impact of traumatic stress on placental gene expression while also examining normative PS, and compare the two. Of the 303 expectant mothers participating in the Stress in Pregnancy Study, 95 women were pregnant when Superstorm Sandy struck. During their pregnancy, participants completed self-report measures of PS and distress that were combined, using latent profile analysis, into one global indicator of normative PS. Placental tissue was collected at delivery and frozen for storage. RNA expression was assessed for 40 placental genes known to associate with the stress response system and neurodevelopment in offspring. Results showed that normative PS increased expression of just MECP2, HSD11B2, and ZNF507, whereas Superstorm Sandy PS decreased expression of CDKL5, CFL1, DYRK1A, HSD11B2, MAOA, MAOB, NCOR1, and ZNF507. Interaction analyses indicated that Superstorm Sandy PS was associated with decreased gene expression for the low and high PS group for CFL1, DYRK1A, HSD11B2, MAOA, and NCOR1 and increased expression for the moderate PS group for FOXP1, NR3C1, and NR3C2. This study supports the idea that a moderate amount of normative PS may buffer the impact of traumatic PS, in this case caused by Superstorm Sandy, on placental gene expression, which suggests that the placenta itself mirrors the organism's ability to develop an epigenetic resilience to, and inoculation from, stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ, United States of America
| | - Jacob Ham
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Yonglin Huang
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Kenji J. Tsuchiya
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States of America
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
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13
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Buthmann J, Finik J, Ventura G, Zhang W, Shereen AD, Nomura Y. The children of Superstorm Sandy: Maternal prenatal depression blunts offspring electrodermal activity. Biol Psychol 2019; 146:107716. [PMID: 31176750 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We set out to examine the relations between prenatal exposure to the natural disaster Superstorm Sandy, maternal depression, and offspring electrodermal activity (EDA). EDA was measured via skin conductance response (SCR) magnitude in 198 children (M = 42.54 months, SD = 12.76) during a startle paradigm. In keeping with prior research, we expected prenatal depression to be associated with hyporeactive EDA and prenatal stress to be associated with hyperreactive EDA. SCR magnitude was lower in children prenatally exposed to depression alone, when compared to Superstorm Sandy, and controls. SCR magnitude of children prenatally exposed to both maternal depression and the storm was lower than that of all other groups. Our results emphasize the influence of maternal prenatal mental health, support targeted risk assessment for children who experienced an adverse prenatal environment, and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the interactions between maternal mood and stress on the developing child.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Buthmann
- CUNY Graduate Center, Department of Psychology, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
| | - J Finik
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 55 W 125th St., New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - G Ventura
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA
| | - W Zhang
- CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA; New Jersey City University, Department of Psychology, 2039 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
| | - A D Shereen
- CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center, 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA; University of California, Department of Neurology, 680 California Ave, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Y Nomura
- CUNY Graduate Center, Department of Psychology, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; CUNY Queens College, Department of Psychology, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA; CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 55 W 125th St., New York, NY 10027, USA; CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center, 85 St Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY 10031, USA; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 1 Gustave Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
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14
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Placental imprinted gene expression mediates the effects of maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy on fetal growth. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2019; 10:196-205. [PMID: 30968809 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174418000545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Imprinted genes uniquely drive and support fetoplacental growth by controlling the allocation of maternal resources to the fetus and affecting the newborn's growth. We previously showed that alterations of the placental imprinted gene expression are associated with suboptimal perinatal growth and respond to environmental stimuli including socio-economic determinants. At the same time, maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy (MPSP) has been shown to affect fetal growth. Here, we set out to test the hypothesis that placental imprinted gene expression mediates the effects of MPSP on fetal growth in a well-characterized birth cohort, the Stress in Pregnancy (SIP) Study. We observed that mothers experiencing high MPSP deliver infants with lower birthweight (P=0.047). Among the 109 imprinted genes tested, we detected panels of placental imprinted gene expression of 23 imprinted genes associated with MPSP and 26 with birthweight. Among these genes, five imprinted genes (CPXM2, glucosidase alpha acid (GAA), GPR1, SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 2 (SHANK2) and THSD7A) were common to the two panels. In multivariate analyses, controlling for maternal age and education and gestational age at birth and infant gender, two genes, GAA and SHANK2, each showed a 22% mediation of MPSP on fetal growth. These data provide new insights into the role that imprinted genes play in translating the maternal stress message into a fetoplacental growth pattern.
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15
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Hu J, Ly J, Zhang W, Huang Y, Glover V, Peter I, Hurd YL, Nomura Y. Microbiota of newborn meconium is associated with maternal anxiety experienced during pregnancy. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 61:640-649. [PMID: 30908632 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about whether a mother's psychological state during pregnancy influences her offspring's microbiome. This study examined whether maternal anxiety, depression, and stress during pregnancy is associated with the diversity of meconium microbiome, the first internal discharge, in 75 newborns from an existing birth cohort study. The meconium microbiome was profiled using multibarcode16S rRNA sequencing at V3-V4 hypervariable region followed by taxonomic assignment to the green gene 16S references at 97% similarity and diversity analysis at the genus level. Results showed that the meconium contained diversified microbiota, and greater pregnancy-related anxiety was significantly associated with a less diverse meconium microbiota community (p = 0.001). At the specific taxa level, greater pregnancy-related anxiety was correlated with a lower level of the Enterococcaceae family (p = 2e-4, Spearman rho = -0.43). These findings support a significant role of prenatal maternal mood in the early-life bacteria colonization of their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jenny Ly
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, New York.,Department of Psychology, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, New Jerse, New Jersey
| | - Yonglin Huang
- Graduate Center, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, NY
| | - Vivette Glover
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Inga Peter
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, New York.,Graduate Center, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, NY.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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16
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Nomura Y, Davey K, Pehme PM, Finik J, Glover V, Zhang W, Huang Y, Buthmann J, Dana K, Yoshida S, Tsuchiya KJ, Li XB, Ham J. Influence of in utero exposure to maternal depression and natural disaster-related stress on infant temperament at 6 months: The children of Superstorm Sandy. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:204-216. [PMID: 30723931 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of in utero exposure to maternal depression and Superstorm Sandy, a hurricane that hit metropolitan New York in 2012, on infant temperament at 6 months. Temperament was assessed using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. Maternal depression was measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The main effects and the interaction of maternal depression and Sandy exposure on infant temperament were examined using a multivariable generalized linear model. Results show that prenatal maternal depression was associated with lower emotion regulation and greater distress. Stratification and interaction analyses suggested that the adverse effects of prenatal maternal depression on problematic temperament were amplified by in utero Sandy exposure. This study underscores the importance of providing prenatal screening and treatment for maternal depression during pregnancy while also identifying high-risk families who may have suffered from disaster-related traumas to provide necessary services. As the frequency of natural disasters may increase due to climate change, it is important to understand the consequences of in utero stress on child development and to formulate plans for early identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nomura
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, New York.,City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Kei Davey
- Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
| | - Patricia M Pehme
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York
| | - Jackie Finik
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Vivette Glover
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Wei Zhang
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, New York
| | - Yonglin Huang
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York
| | - Jessica Buthmann
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York
| | - Kathryn Dana
- Queens College, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Psychology Department, New York, New York.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Xiao Bo Li
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Heights Newark, New Jersey
| | - Jacob Ham
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, New York
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17
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Buthmann J, Ham J, Davey K, Finik J, Dana K, Pehme P, Zhang W, Glover V, Nomura Y. Infant Temperament: Repercussions of Superstorm Sandy-Related Maternal Stress. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2019; 50:150-162. [PMID: 30030653 PMCID: PMC6339835 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-018-0828-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study recruited a prospective cohort of 380 pregnant women before, during, or after Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to examine the association between disaster-related pre- and post-natal maternal stress and offspring temperament at 6 months-old. Mothers prospectively reported stressful experiences during the storm and rated their child's temperament 6 months postpartum. Results indicated that length of time without phone or electricity and financial loss was associated with offspring negative affect, whereas financial loss and threat of death or injury was associated with emotion dysregulation. Furthermore, offspring born before the storm had greater negative affect and lower emotion regulation than those born after the storm. Given the probable increase in the occurrence of natural disasters due to climate change in recent years (McCarthy, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate change 2001: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability: contribution of Working Group II to the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001), our results highlight the necessity of education and planning to help ameliorate any potential consequences on the developing infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Buthmann
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA.
- Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jacob Ham
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Child Trauma and Resilience, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Davey
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Classics, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
| | - Jackie Finik
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Hunter College, CUNY, School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn Dana
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA
- Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Pehme
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA
- Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Yoko Nomura
- Psychology, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, 11367, NY, USA.
- Psychology, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
- Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Hunter College, CUNY, School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Buthmann J, Finik J, Nomura Y. Sex differences in the relations between infant temperament and electrodermal responses in early childhood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 42:535-542. [PMID: 31105363 PMCID: PMC6516783 DOI: 10.1177/0165025418757705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The present study examines the relationship between sex, infant temperament, and childhood psychophysiological reactivity via electrodermal activity (EDA). Both temperament and EDA are known to be relatively stable traits across the lifespan reflecting individual reactivity and regulation linked to suboptimal behavioral development and risk for psychopathology. However, little is known about the role of sex in the relationship between temperament and EDA. As a part of a larger longitudinal study of behavioral development, 125 participants were followed from birth till 3 years-old to examine the relationship between temperament and psychophysiological reactivity in different gender groups. Measurements of temperament at 6 months-old, and EDA, via skin conductance response (SCR) rate to a series of six startling auditory stimuli at 3 years-old were collected. Median splits of SCR scores and three temperament dimensions (positive affect, negative affect, and regulation) were created to designate high/low groups. Results indicate sex moderated the relationships between temperament traits and SCR rates. Specifically, low positive affect was associated with an increased risk for high psychophysiological reactivity in boys (odds ratio = 3.8), whereas high regulation was associated with an increased risk for greater reactivity in girls (odds ratio = 4.2). While preliminary, these findings suggest the importance of sex in relation to psychophysiological and temperamental reactivity, risk factors for developmental psychopathology. As our participants age, follow-up research to investigate the stability of these associations will provide valuable insights for the potential of EDA as a psychophysiological marker for developmental psychopathology risk in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Buthmann
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, Flushing, NY, United States
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jackie Finik
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, Flushing, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry, New York, NY, United States
- Hunter College, CUNY, School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, Flushing, NY, United States
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry, New York, NY, United States
- Hunter College, CUNY, School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Prenatal exposure to disaster-related traumatic stress and developmental trajectories of temperament in early childhood: Superstorm Sandy pregnancy study. J Affect Disord 2018; 234:335-345. [PMID: 29614461 PMCID: PMC5963732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the impact of prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) on the developmental trajectory of temperament and few studies have been able to incorporate a natural disaster as a quasi-experimental stressor. The current study investigated PNMS related to Superstorm Sandy ('Sandy'), a hurricane that struck the New York metropolitan area in October 2012, in terms of objective exposure during pregnancy, subjective stress reaction as assessed by maternal symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and their impact on the developmental changes in temperament during early childhood. METHOD A subsample of 318 mother-child dyads was drawn from the Stress in Pregnancy Study. Temperament was measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. RESULTS Objective exposure was associated with greater High-Intensity Pleasure, Approach, Perceptual Sensitivity and Fearfulness, but lower Cuddliness and Duration of Orientation at 6 months. Objective exposure and its interaction with subjective stress reaction predicted developmental changes in temperament. In particular, objective exposure was linked to greater increases in Activity Level but decreases in High-Intensity Pleasure, Approach, and Fearfulness. The combination of objective exposure and subjective stress reaction was also associated with greater increases in Activity Level. LIMITATIONS Temperament was measured solely via maternal report. Trimester-specific effects of Sandy on temperament were not examined. CONCLUSION This is the first study to examine the effects of prenatal maternal exposure to a natural disaster on trajectories of early childhood temperament. Findings suggest that both objective stress exposure and subjective stress reaction in-utero predict developmental trajectories of temperament in early childhood.
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20
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Pehme PM, Zhang W, Finik J, Pritchett A, Buthmann J, Dana K, Hao K, Nomura Y. Placental MAOA expression mediates prenatal stress effects on temperament in 12-month-olds. INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2018; 27. [PMID: 30505241 DOI: 10.1002/icd.2094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The placenta adapts to maternal environment and its alterations may have a lasting impact on child's temperament development. Prenatal stress has been linked to both a downregulation of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene expression in the placenta and to difficult temperament. Capitalizing on an ongoing longitudinal study, we analysed data from 95 mother-child dyads to investigate whether MAOA mediates the association between prenatal stress and infant temperament. Prenatal stress was defined as exposure to Superstorm Sandy (Sandy) during pregnancy. Infant temperament was measured by Infant Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised. MAOA gene expression was quantified in placenta tissue. The Smiling and Laughter subscale score was independently associated with Sandy exposure and MAOA placental gene expression. Mediation analysis confirmed that MAOA expression partially mediated the relationship between Sandy and Smiling and Laughter subscale, suggesting that in utero exposure to Sandy could induce lower frequency of smiling and laughter via downregulation of placental MAOA gene expression. These effects could compromise optimal temperamental trajectory and contribute to risk for psychological problems. Placental epigenetic markers can contribute to a multidimensional model of early intervention for high-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Pehme
- Clinical Psychology Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Clinical Psychology Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA
| | - Jackie Finik
- Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexandra Pritchett
- Clinical Psychology Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jessica Buthmann
- Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Dana
- Clinical Psychology Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Clinical Psychology Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, USA.,Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center (CUNY), New York, New York, USA
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21
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Zhang W, Li Q, Deyssenroth M, Lambertini L, Finik J, Ham J, Huang Y, Tsuchiya KJ, Pehme P, Buthmann J, Yoshida S, Chen J, Nomura Y. Timing of prenatal exposure to trauma and altered placental expressions of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis genes and genes driving neurodevelopment. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12581. [PMID: 29423924 PMCID: PMC5939590 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stress increases the risk for negative developmental outcomes in offspring; however, the underlying biological mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In the present study, alterations in placental gene expression associated with maternal stress were examined to clarify the potential underlying epi/genetic mechanisms. Expression levels of 40 selected genes involved in regulating foetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurodevelopment were profiled in placental tissues collected from a birth cohort established around the time of Superstorm Sandy. Objective prenatal traumatic stress was defined as whether mothers were exposed to Superstorm Sandy during pregnancy. Among the 275 mother-infant dyads, 181 dyads were delivered before Superstorm Sandy (ie, Control), 66 dyads were exposed to Superstorm Sandy during the first trimester (ie, Early Exposure) and 28 were exposed to Superstorm Sandy during the second or third trimester (ie, Mid-Late Exposure). Across all trimesters, expression of HSD11B2, MAOA, ZNF507 and DYRK1A was down-regulated among those exposed to Superstorm Sandy during pregnancy. Furthermore, trimester-specific differences were also observed: exposure during early gestation was associated with down-regulation of HSD11B1 and MAOB and up-regulation of CRHBP; exposure during mid-late gestation was associated with up-regulation of SRD5A3. The findings of the present study suggest that placental gene expression may be altered in response to traumatic stress exposure during pregnancy, and the susceptibility of these genes is dependent on the time of the exposure during pregnancy. Further studies should aim to clarify the biological mechanisms that underlie trimester-specific exposure by evaluating the differential impact on offspring neurodevelopment later in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Qian Li
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maya Deyssenroth
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jackie Finik
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, CUNY, New York, NY, United State
| | - Jacob Ham
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yongling Huang
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kenji J Tsuchiya
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Patricia Pehme
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jessica Buthmann
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sachiko Yoshida
- Department of Environmental & Life Sciences, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Japan
| | - Jia Chen
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Queens College, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center, CUNY, Psychology, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry, New York, NY, United States
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22
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Deyssenroth MA, Li Q, Lacasaña M, Nomura Y, Marsit C, Chen J. Expression of placental regulatory genes is associated with fetal growth. J Perinat Med 2017; 45:887-893. [PMID: 28675750 PMCID: PMC5630498 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2017-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is the principal organ regulating respiratory, nutritional, endocrine and metabolic functions on behalf of the developing fetus. Changes in gene expression patterns of placenta-specific genes may influence fetal growth. We profiled the expression of 17 genes related to placenta functioning in term placentas (n=677) to identify genes differentially expressed across birth weight categories [small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age]. ABCG2, CEBPB, CRH, GCM1, GPC3, INSL4, PGF and PLAC1 were inversely associated with LGA status, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) ranging from GCM1 (OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.70) to CRH (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.88). NR3C1 was positively associated with LGA status (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.43, 3.78). PLAC1 (OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.92) and ABCG2 (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.91) were additionally inversely associated with SGA status, and PGF was positively associated with SGA status (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.08, 2.35). General trends were confirmed in an independent cohort (n=306). Given that aberrant fetal growth may have long-lasting effects, our results suggest the potential utility of placental gene expression profiles as potential early markers of disease onset later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marina Lacasaña
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; and Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), Granada, Spain
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Queens College, New York, NY, USA; and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carmen Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Corresponding author: Tel.: +(212) 241-7592,
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