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Griffin A, Bowles T, Solis L, Railey T, Beauti S, Robinson R, Spencer SK, Shaffery JP, Wallace K. Maternal immune suppression during pregnancy does not prevent abnormal behavior in offspring. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:27. [PMID: 38532505 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00600-8] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Offspring of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at an increased risk of developing neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders compared to offspring from non-affected pregnancies. Using rodent models of Preeclampsia (PreE; new onset of hypertension after 20 weeks gestation) and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), we studied the behavioral outcome of their offspring in adolescence. METHODS A subset of dams received Orencia, a T-cell activation inhibitor, as T cells have been associated with the induction of hypertension and inflammation during pregnancy. We hypothesized that offspring from hypertensive dams would experience adverse behavioral outcomes in social, cognitive, locomotor, and anxiety tests, and offspring from dams treated with Orencia would demonstrate less adverse behaviors. RESULTS Male offspring of PreE + Orencia dams (p < 0.05) and female offspring from HELLP + Orencia dams (p < 0.05) spent more time playing compared to normal pregnant offspring. All offspring from hypertensive and Orencia-treated dams performed worse on the Barnes Maze test compared to normal pregnant. We also measured adult (postnatal day > 60) myelin basic protein (MBP) and NeuN expression in both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, there was no difference in expression of either MBP or NeuN in all groups regardless of sex. CONCLUSION The results from this study suggest that offspring of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have behavioral changes, specifically cognitive differences. This study has shown that there is a sex dependent difference in offspring neurobehavioral development, influenced in part by the type of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, and alterations in the maternal immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Griffin
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Teylor Bowles
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Lucia Solis
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Teryn Railey
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Samer Beauti
- Master's in Biomedical Science program, School of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Reanna Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Shauna-Kay Spencer
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - James P Shaffery
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA
| | - Kedra Wallace
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
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Escudero C, Kupka E, Ibañez B, Sandoval H, Troncoso F, Wikström AK, López-Espíndola D, Acurio J, Torres-Vergara P, Bergman L. Brain Vascular Dysfunction in Mothers and Their Children Exposed to Preeclampsia. Hypertension 2023; 80:242-256. [PMID: 35920147 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.19408] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a maternal syndrome characterized by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation associated with multisystemic complications, including brain alterations. Indeed, brain complications associated with preeclampsia are the leading direct causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to the well-recognized long-term adverse cardiovascular effects of preeclampsia, women who have had preeclampsia have higher risk of stroke, dementia, intracerebral white matter lesions, epilepsy, and perhaps also cognitive decline postpartum. Furthermore, increasing evidence has also associated preeclampsia with similar cognitive and cerebral disorders in the offspring. However, the mechanistic links between these associations remain unresolved. This article summarizes the current knowledge about the cerebrovascular complications elicited by preeclampsia and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms involved, emphasizing the impaired brain vascular function in the mother and their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Escudero
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.).,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.)
| | - Ellen Kupka
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden (E.K.)
| | - Belen Ibañez
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Hermes Sandoval
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Felipe Troncoso
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Anna-Karin Wikström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden (A.K.W., L.B.)
| | - Daniela López-Espíndola
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile (D.L.-E.)
| | - Jesenia Acurio
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.).,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.)
| | - Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.).,Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (P.T.-V.)
| | - Lina Bergman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden (A.K.W., L.B.).,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa (L.B.).,Department of clinical sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden (L.B.)
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Torres-Vergara P, Rivera R, Escudero C. How Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 Could Contribute to Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Preeclampsia? Front Physiol 2022; 12:805082. [PMID: 35211027 PMCID: PMC8862682 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.805082] [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: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related syndrome that courses with severe cerebrovascular complications if not properly managed. Findings from pre-clinical and clinical studies have proposed that the imbalance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors exhibited in preeclampsia is a major component of its pathophysiology. In this regard, measurement of circulating levels of soluble tyrosine kinase-1 similar to fms (sFlt-1), a decoy receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is a moderately reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. However, few studies have established a mechanistic approach to determine how the high levels of sFlt-1 are responsible for the endothelial dysfunction, and even less is known about its effects at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Since the expression pattern of VEGF receptors type 1 and 2 in brain endothelial cells differs from the observed in peripheral endothelial cells, and components of the neurovascular unit of the BBB provide paracrine secretion of VEGF, this compartmentalization of VEGF signaling could help to see in a different viewpoint the role of sFlt-1 in the development of endothelial dysfunction. In this article, we provide a hypothesis of how sFlt-1 could eventually be a protective factor for brain endothelial cells of the BBB under preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile
| | - Robin Rivera
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile.,Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
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Wallace K, Bowles T, Griffin A, Robinson R, Solis L, Railey T, Shaffery JP, Araji S, Spencer SK. Evidence of Anxiety, Depression and Learning Impairments following Prenatal Hypertension. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12020053. [PMID: 35200304 PMCID: PMC8869594 DOI: 10.3390/bs12020053] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as Preeclampsia (PreE) and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, low platelet) syndrome, affects approximately 5–10% of pregnancies and increases the risk of women developing disorders, such as anxiety or depression, in the postpartum period. Using preclinical rodent models, we set out to determine whether rats with a history of PreE or HELLP had evidence of anxiety, depression or cognitive impairment and whether immune suppression during pregnancy prevented these changes in mood and/or cognition. Methods: Timed-pregnant rats were infused with sFlt-1 and/or sEng to induce PreE or HELLP beginning on gestational day 12. After delivery, a battery of validated behavioral assays was used to assess post-partum depression, anxiety and learning. Results: There was no negative effect on maternal pup interaction due to PreE or HELLP; however, hypertensive dams spent more time immobile in the forced swim test (p < 0.0001). Hypertensive dams also spent less time in the open area of the open field (p = 0.001). There were no significant changes in recognition memory (p = 0.08); however, spatial learning was impaired in hypertensive dams (p = 0.003). Immobility time in the forced swim test was positively correlated with increased circulating S100B (p = 0.04), while increased time spent in the outer zones of the open field was negatively correlated with BDNF levels (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that hypertensive pregnancy disorders are associated with depression, anxiety and learning impairments in the post-partum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedra Wallace
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Teylor Bowles
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Ashley Griffin
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Reanna Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Lucia Solis
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Teryn Railey
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
| | - James P. Shaffery
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Sarah Araji
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Shauna-Kay Spencer
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (T.B.); (R.R.); (L.S.); (T.R.); (S.A.)
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El Khiat A, El Hiba O, Tamegart L, Rais H, Fdil N, Sellami S, El Mokhtar MA, Gamrani H. Time dependent alteration of locomotor behavior in rat with acute liver failure induced cerebellar neuroinflammation and neuro-astroglial damage. J Chem Neuroanat 2021; 119:102055. [PMID: 34863855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2021.102055] [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: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurophysiological syndrome secondary to acute or chronic liver failure. Studies showed that HE patients exhibit a deficit in motor coordination, which may result from cerebellar functional impairment. The aim of this study is to assess the time-dependent alteration of locomotor behavior and the glial and neuronal alteration in rat with acute HE induced chemically. The study was carried out in male Sprague-Dawley rats with thioacetamide (TAA) induced acute liver failure at different stages 12 h, 24 h and 36 h. Hepatic and renal functions were assessed via various biochemical and histopathological examinations, while the cerebellum and the midbrain were examined using histology and immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We used as well, the open field test and the Rotarod test for assessing the locomotor activity and coordination. Our data showed a progressive loss of liver function and a progressive alteration in locomotor behavior and motor coordination in acute HE rats. In the cerebellum, we noted an increase in the degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje neurons parallel to increased COX-2 immunoreactivity together with astrocytic morphology and density changes. Likewise, in substantia nigra pars compacta, TH levels were reduced. We showed through the current study, a progressive deterioration in locomotor behavior in acute HE rats, as a result of Purkinje neurons death and a deficient dopaminergic neurotransmission, together with the morpho-functional astroglial modifications involving the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaati El Khiat
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences and Environment, faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, 4000 Marrakech, Morocco; Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Ouarzazate, Morocco.
| | - Omar El Hiba
- Nutritional Physiopathologies and Toxicology Team, faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco.
| | - Lahcen Tamegart
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences and Environment, faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, 4000 Marrakech, Morocco; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Hanane Rais
- Laboratory of Morphosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco; Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Naima Fdil
- Metabolics platform, Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Cadi Ayyad University, Sidi Abbad, BP 40000 Marrakech, Morocco
| | | | - Mohamed Ait El Mokhtar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Environment &Agri-food URAC 36, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Mohmmedia, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Halima Gamrani
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences and Environment, faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, 4000 Marrakech, Morocco.
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Srajer A, Johnson JA, Yusuf K. Preeclampsia and postpartum mental health: mechanisms and clinical implications. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:8443-8449. [PMID: 34538205 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1978067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with the short and long-term implications for maternal health being increasingly recognized. Yet the effects of preeclampsia on mental health are often overlooked, effects which can be evident both immediately postpartum and decades later. In particular, preeclampsia has been associated with increased risk and severity of cognitive impairment, psychosocial distress, and psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While these outcomes are reported, few have proposed how the pathophysiology of preeclampsia may contribute to changes in postpartum mental health. Studies have suggested that anti-angiogenic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines released from the preeclamptic placenta may damage the blood-brain barrier endothelium, leading to long-term structural and functional cerebral changes. These changes may contribute to subsequent impairments in mental health. In addition, the pro-inflammatory profile and patterns of cerebral damage observed in preeclampsia are similar to that of psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment, suggesting they may share common mechanisms. Yet, there is limited evidence on how these mechanisms may interact. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence for these pathophysiological mechanisms and propose how they may work synergistically to affect brain structure, cognition, and postpartum mental health in preeclampsia. The role of psychosocial factors, disease severity, and psychological treatment in the mental health of preeclampsia patients will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Srajer
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jo-Ann Johnson
- Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kamran Yusuf
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Carbillon L, Boujenah J. Edema associated with low plasma protein level and any gestational hypertension as warning signs of HELLP syndrome. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:7395-7398. [PMID: 34256662 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1949444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Because preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder, its definition has recently been revised, including cases with evidence of renal, liver, neurological, or hematological dysfunction. However, the role of edema remains unclear. While the presence of mild edema is common in normal pregnancy, in severe preeclampsia protein transfer from the vascular into the interstitial compartment could lead to low serum protein level and favor the transport of fluid to the interstitial compartment.Materials and methods, Results: Over a 4-year period, 9749 women have given birth in our university maternity ward. In this period of time, 86 women developed severe preeclampsia. Among them, we retrospectively identified nine patients who first presented with mild de novo hypertension or preeclampsia, extensive edema or excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), and documented low serum protein levels; five patients also reported headache. Serum protein levels ranged from 51 to 56 g/l. We analyzed the progression of the disease in these women, and found that these patients developed criteria for complete or partial hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome in four and five cases, respectively. All patients were delivered quickly of healthy babies, and no other maternal adverse outcomes occurred.Discussion: As plasma proteins are the primary determinants of plasmatic colloid osmotic pressure (COP), headache in association with edema, low serum protein levels, and even mild hypertension, could reflect cerebral vasogenic edema with the same mechanism as for cerebral edema reported in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and eclampsia. Thus, the sequential association of edema or excessive GWG with markedly low serum protein levels and mild gestational hypertension could signal the imminent development of severe preeclampsia and possibly HELLP syndrome. This sequence should be assessed in additional large-scale prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Carbillon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jean Verdier Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Sorbonne North Paris University, Bondy, France
| | - Jeremy Boujenah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jean Verdier Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Bondy, France
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Neurology of Preeclampsia and Related Disorders: an Update in Neuro-obstetrics. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2021; 25:40. [PMID: 33825997 PMCID: PMC10069269 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-021-00958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect up to 10% of pregnancies. Neurological complications are common and neurologists often become involved in the care of obstetric patients with preeclampsia. Here, we review the definition(s), epidemiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of preeclampsia, focusing on maternal neurological complications and headache as a common presenting symptom of preeclampsia. RECENT FINDINGS Neurological symptoms are early and disease-defining features of preeclampsia. Neurological complications of preeclampsia may include headaches, visual symptoms, cerebral edema, seizures, or acute cerebrovascular disorders such as intracerebral hemorrhage or reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. A history of migraine is an independent risk factor for vascular diseases during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and maternal stroke. The pathophysiology of both preeclampsia and migraine is complex, and the mechanisms linking the two are not fully understood. Overlapping clinical and pathophysiological features of migraine and preeclampsia include inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and changes in vasoreactivity. Neurological complications are recognized as a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant and postpartum women commonly present with headache, and red flags in the clinical history and examination should prompt urgent neuroimaging and laboratory evaluation. A focused headache history should be elicited from patients as part of routine obstetrical care to identify patients at an increased risk of preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Collaborative models of care and scientific investigation in the emerging field of neuro-obstetrics have the common goal of reducing the risk of maternal neurological morbidity and mortality from preeclampsia.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review and summarize what is known about cerebrovascular derangements during preeclampsia. RECENT FINDINGS Preeclampsia is a devastating disorder of pregnancy with no known cure. Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms which lead to the symptoms of the disorder, particularly with regard to individual vascular beds such as the cerebral circulation. Studies suggest that the cerebrovascular dysfunction characteristic of the preeclampsia syndrome is characterized by alterations in cerebral blood flow autoregulation and opening of the blood-brain barrier. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the same circulating factors implicated in the pathophysiology of other vascular beds may be operative in the cerebral circulation as well. However, significant knowledge gaps still exist, highlighting the need for more intense research in this field. Little is known about cerebrovascular dysfunction during preeclampsia, and detailed mechanistic studies are needed to identify the molecular pathways involved, the interactions thereof, and how those pathways lead to clinical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhi Talal Younes
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA
| | - Michael J Ryan
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216-4505, USA.
- G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
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