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Van den Bergh BRH, Antonelli MC, Stein DJ. Current perspectives on perinatal mental health and neurobehavioral development: focus on regulation, coregulation and self-regulation. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024; 37:237-250. [PMID: 38415742 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Perinatal mental health research provides an important perspective on neurobehavioral development. Here, we aim to review the association of maternal perinatal health with offspring neurodevelopment, providing an update on (self-)regulation problems, hypothesized mechanistic pathways, progress and challenges, and implications for mental health. RECENT FINDINGS (1) Meta-analyses confirm that maternal perinatal mental distress is associated with (self-)regulation problems which constitute cognitive, behavioral, and affective social-emotional problems, while exposure to positive parental mental health has a positive impact. However, effect sizes are small. (2) Hypothesized mechanistic pathways underlying this association are complex. Interactive and compensatory mechanisms across developmental time are neglected topics. (3) Progress has been made in multiexposure studies. However, challenges remain and these are shared by clinical, translational and public health sciences. (4) From a mental healthcare perspective, a multidisciplinary and system level approach employing developmentally-sensitive measures and timely treatment of (self-)regulation and coregulation problems in a dyadic caregiver-child and family level approach seems needed. The existing evidence-base is sparse. SUMMARY During the perinatal period, addressing vulnerable contexts and building resilient systems may promote neurobehavioral development. A pluralistic approach to research, taking a multidisciplinary approach to theoretical models and empirical investigation needs to be fostered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta C Antonelli
- Laboratorio de Programación Perinatal del Neurodesarrollo, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias "Prof.E. De Robertis", Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Frauenklinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Dan J Stein
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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2
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Turk E, van den Heuvel MI, Sleurs C, Billiet T, Uyttebroeck A, Sunaert S, Mennes M, Van den Bergh BRH. Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is associated with weaker prefrontal functional connectivity in adult offspring. Brain Imaging Behav 2023; 17:595-607. [PMID: 37380807 PMCID: PMC10733226 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00787-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The connectome, constituting a unique fingerprint of a person's brain, may be influenced by its prenatal environment, potentially affecting later-life resilience and mental health. METHODS We conducted a prospective resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging study in 28-year-old offspring (N = 49) of mothers whose anxiety was monitored during pregnancy. Two offspring anxiety subgroups were defined: "High anxiety" (n = 13) group versus "low-to-medium anxiety" (n = 36) group, based on maternal self-reported state anxiety at 12-22 weeks of gestation. To predict resting-state functional connectivity of 32 by 32 ROIs, maternal state anxiety during pregnancy was included as a predictor in general linear models for both ROI-to-ROI and graph theoretical metrics. Sex, birth weight and postnatal anxiety were included as covariates. RESULTS Higher maternal anxiety was associated with weaker functional connectivity of medial prefrontal cortex with left inferior frontal gyrus (t = 3.45, pFDR < 0.05). Moreover, network-based statistics (NBS) confirmed our finding and revealed an additional association of weaker connectivity between left lateral prefontal cortex with left somatosensory motor gyrus in the offspring. While our results showed a general pattern of lower functional connectivity in adults prenatally exposed to maternal anxiety, we did not observe significant differences in global brain networks between groups. CONCLUSIONS Weaker (medial) prefrontal cortex functional connectivity in the high anxiety adult offspring group suggests a long-term negative impact of prenatal exposure to high maternal anxiety, extending into adulthood. To prevent mental health problems at population level, universal primary prevention strategies should aim at lowering maternal anxiety during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Turk
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
| | - Marion I van den Heuvel
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Sleurs
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Anne Uyttebroeck
- Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Maarten Mennes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology Research Group, Catholic University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
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Mennes M, Stiers P, Lagae L, Van den Bergh BRH. Antenatal maternal anxiety modulates the BOLD response in 20-year-old men during endogenous cognitive control. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 14:830-846. [PMID: 30617784 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-0027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is building for an association between the level of anxiety experienced by a mother during pregnancy and offspring cognition and structural and functional brain correlates. The current study uses fMRI to examine the association between prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety and brain activity associated with endogenous versus exogenous cognitive control in 20-year-old males. Endogenous cognitive control refers to the ability to generate control over decisions, strategies, conflicting information and so on, from within oneself without external signals, while exogenous control is triggered by external signals. In line with previous results of this long-term follow-up study we found that 20-year-olds of mothers reporting high levels of anxiety during weeks 12-22 of pregnancy exhibited a different pattern of decision making in a Gambling paradigm requiring endogenous cognitive control, compared to adults of mothers reporting low to average levels of anxiety. Moreover, the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response in a number of prefrontal cortical areas was modulated by the level of antenatal maternal anxiety. In particular, a number of right lateralized clusters including inferior frontal junction, that were modulated in the adults of mothers reporting low to average levels of anxiety during pregnancy by a task manipulation of cognitive control, were not modulated by this manipulation in the adults of mothers reporting high levels of anxiety during pregnancy. These differences in brain functional correlates provide a neurobiological underpinning for the hypothesis of an association between exposure to maternal anxiety in the prenatal life period and a deficit in endogenous cognitive control in early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Mennes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Stiers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Section Paediatric Neurology, Department Development and Regeneration, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven - KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 - bus 3726, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium.
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Singh BSK, Danckaerts M, Van den Bergh BRH. Helping Families of Infants With Persistent Crying and Sleep Problems in a Day-Clinic. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:591389. [PMID: 33716810 PMCID: PMC7952858 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.591389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive crying and sleep problems affect up to 30% of infants and often coexist. Although usually benign and self-limiting, persistent crying, and sleep problems exceeding 6 months of age need attention as they may impair the mental health of the infant and its family. The source and the impact of these persistent regulatory problems is often not restricted to the infant, but extends to the parents and the parent-infant relationship. Clinical practice needs interdisciplinary and multi-method interventions focusing beyond regulatory problems of the infant but also on parental self-regulation and parent's co-regulatory responses toward the infant. Treating clinicians may encounter limitations of home-visits, outpatient, and pediatric residential settings when working with families in distress. We describe an infant mental health day-clinic treatment, drawing attention to this viable future direction. It offers a therapeutic climate based on forming a triangle of co-regulation between clinician, parent and infant to first help the parent and the infant settle down. This stress reduction restores parent-infant connectedness and parental learning and reflecting capacity. Clinicians then use established therapeutic modalities to support parental self- and co-regulatory skills which is important for the development of self-regulation in the infant. Experience with this treatment program suggests that a day-clinic setting facilitates interdisciplinary and integrative multi-method intervention, infant and parental stress reduction and integration of parental self- and co-regulatory skills in daily family life, improving overall outcomes. This perspective warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu S K Singh
- University of Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marina Danckaerts
- University of Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department for Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium.,Health Psychology Research Group, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Franke K, Van den Bergh BRH, de Rooij SR, Kroegel N, Nathanielsz PW, Rakers F, Roseboom TJ, Witte OW, Schwab M. Effects of maternal stress and nutrient restriction during gestation on offspring neuroanatomy in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 117:5-25. [PMID: 32001273 PMCID: PMC8207653 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive and mental health are major determinants of quality of life, allowing integration into society at all ages. Human epidemiological and animal studies indicate that in addition to genetic factors and lifestyle, prenatal environmental influences may program neuropsychiatric disorders in later life. While several human studies have examined the effects of prenatal stress and nutrient restriction on brain function and mental health in later life, potentially mediating effects of prenatal stress and nutrient restriction on offspring neuroanatomy in humans have been studied only in recent years. Based on neuroimaging and anatomical data, we comprehensively review the studies in this emerging field. We relate prenatal environmental influences to neuroanatomical abnormalities in the offspring, measured in utero and throughout life. We also assess the relationship between neuroanatomical abnormalities and cognitive and mental disorders. Timing- and gender-specific effects are considered, if reported. Our review provides evidence for adverse effects of an unfavorable prenatal environment on structural brain development that may contribute to the risk for cognitive, behavioral and mental health problems throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Franke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Research Group on Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department for Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susanne R de Rooij
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nasim Kroegel
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter W Nathanielsz
- Texas Pregnancy & Life Course Health Research Center, Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States; Dept. of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Florian Rakers
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Otto W Witte
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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van den Heuvel MI, van Assen MALM, Glover V, Claes S, Van den Bergh BRH. Associations between maternal psychological distress and salivary cortisol during pregnancy: A mixed-models approach. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 96:52-60. [PMID: 29902667 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is related to adverse child behavioral and emotional outcomes later in life, such as ADHD and anxiety/depression. The underlying mechanisms for this, however, are still largely unknown. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, with its most important effector hormone cortisol, has been proposed as a mechanism, but results have been inconsistent. The current study investigated the association between maternal psychological distress (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) and maternal cortisol levels during pregnancy using a mixed models approach. METHOD During three pregnancy trimesters, mothers (N = 170) collected four salivary samples for two consecutive days. Mothers reported symptoms of anxiety and depression three times during pregnancy (at 13.3 ± 1.1, 20.2 ± 1.5, and 33.8 ± 1.5 weeks of pregnancy, respectively) using the anxiety subscale of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Specific fears and worries during pregnancy were measured with the short version of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R). RESULTS We found a significant effect of SCL-90 anxiety subscale on cortisol levels at awakening (p = .008), indicating that mothers with higher anxiety showed lower cortisol at awakening. Maternal psychological variables explained 10.5% of the variance at the person level in awakening cortisol level, but none in the overall diurnal cortisol model. CONCLUSION More research is necessary to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the association between maternal psychological distress and cortisol and the search for mechanisms other than the HPA-axis should be continued and extended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcel A L M van Assen
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg University, The Netherlands; Department of Sociology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Vivette Glover
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Stephan Claes
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium; Department of Welfare, Public Health and Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium.
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7
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Eggers K, De Nil LF, Van den Bergh BRH. Exogenously triggered response inhibition in developmental stuttering. J Fluency Disord 2018; 56:33-44. [PMID: 29494965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to examine relations between children's exogenously triggered response inhibition and stuttering. METHOD Participants were 18 children who stutter (CWS; mean age = 9;01 years) and 18 children who not stutter (CWNS; mean age = 9;01 years). Participants were matched on age (±3 months) and gender. Response inhibition was assessed by a stop signal task (Verbruggen, Logan, & Stevens, 2008). RESULTS Results suggest that CWS, compared to CWNS, perform comparable to CWNS in a task where response control is externally triggered. CONCLUSIONS Our findings seem to indicate that previous questionnaire-based findings (Eggers, De Nil, & Van den Bergh, 2010) of a decreased efficiency of response inhibition cannot be generalized to all types of response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Eggers
- Dept. of Speech-Language Therapy, Thomas More University College, Belgium; Experimental Otorinolaryngology, Dept. of Neurosciences, University of Leuven, Belgium; Dept. of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Finland.
| | - Luc F De Nil
- Experimental Otorinolaryngology, Dept. of Neurosciences, University of Leuven, Belgium; Dept. of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Canada.
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Dept. of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands; Dept. of Psychology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Vandenbroucke T, Han SN, Van Calsteren K, Wilderjans TF, Van den Bergh BRH, Claes L, Amant F. Psychological distress and cognitive coping in pregnant women diagnosed with cancer and their partners. Psychooncology 2016; 26:1215-1221. [PMID: 27859911 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A cancer diagnosis during pregnancy may be considered as an emotional challenge for pregnant women and their partners. We aimed to identify women and partners at risk for high levels of distress based on their coping profile. METHODS Sixty-one pregnant women diagnosed with cancer and their partners filled out the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and the newly constructed Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ). K-means cluster analysis was performed on the CERQ scales. Scores on the CPQ were compared between the women and their partners and between the CERQ-clusters. RESULTS Comparison of women and partners on the CPQ did not reveal significant differences on distress about the child's health, the cancer disease, and the pregnancy or on information satisfaction (P = .16, P = .44, P = .50, and P = .47, respectively). However, women were more inclined to maintain the pregnancy than their partners (P = .011). Three clusters were retrieved based on the CERQ scales, characterized by positive coping, internalizing coping, and blaming. Women and partners using internalizing strategies had significantly higher scores on concerns about the child's health (P = .039), the disease and treatment (P < .001), and the pregnancy and delivery (P = .009) compared with positive and blaming strategies. No cluster differences were found for information satisfaction (P = .71) and tendency to maintain the pregnancy (P = .35). CONCLUSION Women and partners using internalizing coping strategies deal with the highest levels of distress and may benefit from additional psychosocial support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tineke Vandenbroucke
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sileny N Han
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristel Van Calsteren
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom F Wilderjans
- Methodology and Statistics Research Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence Claes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Mental Health (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Amant
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van den Heuvel MI, Donkers FCL, Winkler I, Otte RA, Van den Bergh BRH. Maternal mindfulness and anxiety during pregnancy affect infants' neural responses to sounds. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2014; 10:453-60. [PMID: 24925904 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsu075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal anxiety during pregnancy has been consistently shown to negatively affect offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, little is known about the impact of positive maternal traits/states during pregnancy on the offspring. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of the mother's mindfulness and anxiety during pregnancy on the infant's neurocognitive functioning at 9 months of age. Mothers reported mindfulness using the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory and anxiety using the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) at ± 20.7 weeks of gestation. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were measured from 79 infants in an auditory oddball paradigm designed to measure auditory attention-a key aspect of early neurocognitive functioning. For the ERP responses elicited by standard sounds, higher maternal mindfulness was associated with lower N250 amplitudes (P < 0.01, η(2) = 0.097), whereas higher maternal anxiety was associated with higher N250 amplitudes (P < 0.05, η(2) = 0.057). Maternal mindfulness was also positively associated with the P150 amplitudes (P < 0.01, η(2) = 0.130). These results suggest that infants prenatally exposed to higher levels of maternal mindfulness devote fewer attentional resources to frequently occurring irrelevant sounds. The results show that positive traits and experiences of the mother during pregnancy may also affect the unborn child. Emphasizing the beneficial effects of a positive psychological state during pregnancy may promote healthy behavior in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion I van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Franc C L Donkers
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
| | - István Winkler
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Renée A Otte
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MTA, Budapest, Hungary, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Belgium, and Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium
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10
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Loomans EM, Van den Bergh BRH, Schelling M, Vrijkotte TGM, van Eijsden M. Maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status during early pregnancy and children's risk of problem behavior at age 5-6 years. J Pediatr 2014; 164:762-8. [PMID: 24439058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To prospectively investigate the association between maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) status and ratio during pregnancy and children's risk of problem behavior at 5 years of age. STUDY DESIGN Maternal LCPUFA status in plasma phospholipids during pregnancy (M = 13.3, SD = 3 weeks) was available for 4336 women. Children's behavior was rated by their mother (n = 2502) and teacher (n = 2061). RESULTS When using multivariate logistic regression analyses, we found that greater concentrations of omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.99; P = .05) decreased children's risk for emotional symptoms. Although lower eicosapentaenoic acid and a greater omega-6:omega-3 LCPUFA (ie, arachidonic acid/[docosahexaenoic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid]) tended to increase the risk for emotional symptoms and the risk of hyperactivity/inattention problems for the omega-6:omega-3 LCPUFA, the results were nonsignificant (P = .07). No evidence was found for mediation by preterm birth and being small for gestational age. The child's sex and infant feeding pattern did not modify the associations. CONCLUSION Our results suggest long-term developmental programming influences of maternal LCPUFA status during pregnancy and stress the importance of an adequate and balanced supply of fatty acids in pregnant women for optimal fetal brain development and subsequent long-term behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Loomans
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, and Health Promotion, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Department of Welfare, Public Health & Family, Flemish Government, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Psychology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maaike Schelling
- Department of Epidemiology, and Health Promotion, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja G M Vrijkotte
- Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van Eijsden
- Department of Epidemiology, and Health Promotion, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Health Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Braeken MAKA, Kemp AH, Outhred T, Otte RA, Monsieur GJYJ, Jones A, Van den Bergh BRH. Pregnant mothers with resolved anxiety disorders and their offspring have reduced heart rate variability: implications for the health of children. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83186. [PMID: 24340091 PMCID: PMC3858358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Active anxiety disorders have lasting detrimental effects on pregnant mothers and their offspring but it is unknown if historical, non-active, maternal anxiety disorders have similar effects. Anxiety-related conditions, such as reduced autonomic cardiac control, indicated by reduced heart rate variability (HRV) could persist despite disorder resolution, with long-term health implications for mothers and children. The objective in this study is to test the hypotheses that pregnant mothers with a history of, but not current anxiety and their children have low HRV, predicting anxiety-like offspring temperaments. Methods The participants in this case-control study consist of 56 women during their first trimester and their offspring (15 male, 29 female). Women had a history of an anxiety disorder (n=22) or no psychopathology (n=34) determined using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The main outcome measures were indices of autonomic cardiac control including root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and high frequency (HF) variability. Children’s fearfulness was also assessed using the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab-TAB)-Locomotor Version. Results HRV was lower in women and children in the past anxiety group compared to controls. HRV measures for mothers and children were positively correlated in the anxiety group only. In all children, low HRV measures at 2-4 months were associated with a higher chance of fearful behavior at 9-10 months. Conclusions Pregnant women with previous but not current anxiety and their children have low HRV. Children with low HRV tend to show more fearfulness. These findings have implications for identifying children at risk of anxiety disorders and point to possible underlying mechanisms of child psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke A. K. A. Braeken
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Andrew H. Kemp
- SCAN Research & Teaching Unit, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- CADE Clinic, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Hospital Universitário, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tim Outhred
- SCAN Research & Teaching Unit, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- CADE Clinic, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Renée A. Otte
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Geert J. Y. J. Monsieur
- ERISS, European Research Institute in Service Science, Department of Information Management, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- LIRIS, Department of Information Management, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Jones
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bea R. H. Van den Bergh
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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12
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Kushnerenko EV, Van den Bergh BRH, Winkler I. Separating acoustic deviance from novelty during the first year of life: a review of event-related potential evidence. Front Psychol 2013; 4:595. [PMID: 24046757 PMCID: PMC3763200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Orienting to salient events in the environment is a first step in the development of attention in young infants. Electrophysiological studies have indicated that in newborns and young infants, sounds with widely distributed spectral energy, such as noise and various environmental sounds, as well as sounds widely deviating from their context elicit an event-related potential (ERP) similar to the adult P3a response. We discuss how the maturation of event-related potentials parallels the process of the development of passive auditory attention during the first year of life. Behavioral studies have indicated that the neonatal orientation to high-energy stimuli gradually changes to attending to genuine novelty and other significant events by approximately 9 months of age. In accordance with these changes, in newborns, the ERP response to large acoustic deviance is dramatically larger than that to small and moderate deviations. This ERP difference, however, rapidly decreases within first months of life and the differentiation of the ERP response to genuine novelty from that to spectrally rich but repeatedly presented sounds commences during the same period. The relative decrease of the response amplitudes elicited by high-energy stimuli may reflect development of an inhibitory brain network suppressing the processing of uninformative stimuli. Based on data obtained from healthy full-term and pre-term infants as well as from infants at risk for various developmental problems, we suggest that the electrophysiological indices of the processing of acoustic and contextual deviance may be indicative of the functioning of auditory attention, a crucial prerequisite of learning and language development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Kushnerenko
- School of Psychology, Institute for Research in Child Development, University of East London London, UK
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13
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Bogaerts AFL, Van den Bergh BRH, Witters I, Devlieger R. Anxiety during early pregnancy predicts postpartum weight retention in obese mothers. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2013; 21:1942-9. [PMID: 23408496 DOI: 10.1002/oby.20352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the weight status of obese mothers 6 months after delivery and examine its relationship to important sociodemographical, behavioral, and psychological variables. DESIGN AND METHODS Postpartum data from an interventional trial in obese pregnant women (n = 197), conducted in three regional hospitals, between March 2008 and June 2012, were available from 150 mothers. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 29 kg/m2. Predictors were examined from the pregnancy and postpartum period. Descriptive statistics were performed and linear regression models constructed. RESULTS Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) 6 months after delivery ranges from -17 to + 19 kg with a mean of -1.28 kg (SD 6.05). Thirty-nine percent showed PPWR (>0 kg) and 13% of obese mothers reported a high PPWR (≥5 kg). Gestational weight gain (GWG) and psychological discomfort were significantly higher in obese mothers with PPWR compared to those with no or low PPWR. Mean duration of breastfeeding in this cohort of obese mothers was 9.5 weeks (SD 8.7), with 17.3% breastfeeding for at least 6 months. At 6 months after delivery, prepregnancy BMI (β = -0.283; P = 0.001), GWG (β = 0.337; P = 0.001), and maternal trait anxiety in the first trimester of pregnancy (β = 0.255; P = 0.001) were significantly associated with PPWR in obese mothers. CONCLUSION PPWR in obese mothers is associated with psychological discomfort during early pregnancy. Besides the importance of adequate prenatal weight management, focused psychological support should be an important cue to action in obese women, to prevent maternal obesity on the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annick F L Bogaerts
- Department of Healthcare Research, PHL University College, Limburg Catholic University College, Hasselt, Belgium
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14
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Eggers K, De Nil LF, Van den Bergh BRH. Inhibitory control in childhood stuttering. J Fluency Disord 2013; 38:1-13. [PMID: 23540909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 10/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether previously reported parental questionnaire-based differences in inhibitory control (IC; Eggers, De Nil, & Van den Bergh, 2010) would be supported by direct measurement of IC using a computer task. METHOD Participants were 30 children who stutter (CWS; mean age=7;05 years) and 30 children who not stutter (CWNS; mean age=7;05 years). Participants were matched on age and gender (±3 months). IC was assessed by the Go/NoGo task of the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks (De Sonneville, 2009). RESULTS Results indicated that CWS, compared to CWNS, (a) exhibited more false alarms and premature responses, (b) showed lower reaction times for false alarms, and (c) were less able to adapt their response style after experiencing response errors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide further support for the hypothesis that CWS and CWNS differ on IC. CWS, as a group, were lower in IC pointing toward a lowered ability to inhibit prepotent response tendencies. The findings were linked to previous IC-related studies and to emerging theoretical frameworks of stuttering development. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES The reader will be able to: (1) describe the concept of inhibitory control, and its functional significance; (2) describe the findings on self-regulatory processes, attentional processes, and inhibitory control in CWS; (3) identify which Go/NoGo task variables differentiated between CWS and CWNS; and (4) summarize the theoretical implications for the development of stuttering and the possible clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Eggers
- Dept. of Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology, Lessius University College, Belgium.
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15
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Bogaerts A, Witters I, Van den Bergh BRH, Jans G, Devlieger R. Obesity in pregnancy: altered onset and progression of labour. Midwifery 2013; 29:1303-13. [PMID: 23427851 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2012.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND the incidence of obesity increases in all developed countries to frightful percentages, also in women of reproductive age. Maternal obesity is associated with important obstetrical complications; and this group also exhibits a higher incidence of prolonged pregnancies and labours. OBJECTIVE to review the literature on the pathophysiology of onset and progression of labour in obese woman and translate this knowledge into practical recommendations for clinical management. METHODS a literature review, in particular a critical summary of research, in order to determine associations, gaps or inconsistencies in this specific but limited body of research. FINDINGS the combination of a higher incidence of post-term childbirths and increased inadequate contraction pattern during the first stage of labour suggests an influence of obesity on myometrial activity. A pathophysiologic pathway for altered onset and progression of labour in obese pregnant women is proposed. CONCLUSIONS analysis of the literature shows that obesity is associated with an increased duration of pregnancy and prolonged duration of first stage of labour. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE an adapted clinical approach is suggested in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annick Bogaerts
- Limburg Catholic University College, PHL University College, Department of PHL-Healthcare Research, Oude Luikerbaan, 79, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
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16
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Vanderperren K, Mijović B, Novitskiy N, Vanrumste B, Stiers P, Van den Bergh BRH, Lagae L, Sunaert S, Wagemans J, Van Huffel S, De Vos M. Single trial ERP reading based on parallel factor analysis. Psychophysiology 2012; 50:97-110. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2012.01405.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nikolay Novitskiy
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Leuven; Belgium
| | | | - Peter Stiers
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience; Maastricht University; Maastricht; The Netherlands
| | | | - Lieven Lagae
- Department of Pediatric Neurology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Leuven; Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Department of Radiology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Leuven; Belgium
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Leuven; Belgium
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Loomans EM, Hofland L, van der Stelt O, van der Wal MF, Koot HM, Van den Bergh BRH, Vrijkotte TGM. Caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of problem behavior in 5- to 6-year-old children. Pediatrics 2012; 130:e305-13. [PMID: 22778296 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-3361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Human studies that have investigated the association between caffeine intake during pregnancy and offspring's behavioral outcomes are scant and inconclusive. We prospectively investigated the association between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and children's problem behavior at age 5 to 6 years. Mediation by fetal growth restriction and gestational age as well as effect modification by the child's gender and maternal smoking was tested. METHODS In a community based multiethnic birth cohort, dietary caffeine intake (coffee, caffeinated tea, and cola) was measured (maternal self-report, n = 8202) around the 16th week of gestation. At age 5, children's overall problem behavior, emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention problems, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior were rated by both mother and teacher (n = 3439) with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Analyses were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity, cohabitant status, education, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, child's gender, family size, and prenatal maternal anxiety. RESULTS Caffeine intake was not associated with a higher risk for behavior problems or with suboptimal prosocial behavior. No evidence was found for mediation by fetal growth restriction or gestational age, nor for effect modification by the child's gender. CONCLUSIONS Results did not provide evidence for developmental programming influences of intrauterine exposure to caffeine on offspring's problem behavior at age 5. Present results give no indication to advise pregnant women to reduce their caffeine intake to prevent behavior problems in their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Loomans
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB Tilburg, Netherlands.
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18
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Loomans EM, van Dijk AE, Vrijkotte TGM, van Eijsden M, Stronks K, Gemke RJBJ, Van den Bergh BRH. Psychosocial stress during pregnancy is related to adverse birth outcomes: results from a large multi-ethnic community-based birth cohort. Eur J Public Health 2012; 23:485-91. [PMID: 22850187 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cks097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence rates of psychosocial stress during pregnancy are substantial. Evidence for associations between psychosocial stress and birth outcomes is inconsistent. This study aims to identify and characterize different clusters of pregnant women, each with a distinct pattern of psychosocial stress, and investigate whether birth outcomes differ between these clusters. METHODS Latent class analysis was performed on data of 7740 pregnant women (Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study). Included constructs were depressive symptoms, state anxiety, job strain, pregnancy-related anxiety and parenting stress. RESULTS Five clusters of women with distinct patterns of psychosocial stress were objectively identified. Babies born from women in the cluster characterized as 'high depression and high anxiety, moderate job strain' (12%) had a lower birth weight, and those in the 'high depression and high anxiety, not employed' cluster (15%) had an increased risk of pre-term birth. CONCLUSIONS Babies from pregnant women reporting both high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms are at highest risk for adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Loomans
- Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether previously reported questionnaire-based differences in self-regulatory behaviors (Eggers, De Nil, & Van den Bergh, 2009, 2010) between children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS) would also be reflected in their underlying attentional networks. METHOD Participants consisted of 41 CWS (mean age = 6;09; years;months) and 41 CWNS (mean age = 6;09) ranging in age from 4;00 to 9;00. Participants were matched on age and gender. The efficiency of the attentional networks was assessed by using the computerized Attention Network Test (Fan, McCandliss, Sommer, Raz, & Posner, 2002). RESULTS Primary results indicated that CWS had a significantly lower efficiency of the orienting network compared with CWNS, whereas no differences were found on the alerting or executive control network. CONCLUSION Current findings corroborate previously found differences in self-regulatory behavior and were taken to suggest a possible role for attentional processes in developmental stuttering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Eggers
- Lessius University College, Antwerp, Belgium.
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20
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Abstract
The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis studies the short- and long-term consequences of the conditions of the developmental environment for phenotypic variations in health and disease. Central to this hypothesis is the idea of interdependence of developmental influences, genes, and environment. Developmental programming effects are mediated by alterations in fundamental life functions, and the most enduring effects seem to occur if the main regulatory instances of the organ - the (epi)genome and the brain - are affected. Some new insights in the role of chromatin, in cellular development and differentiation, and neural plasticity from the field of epigenetics are introduced, followed by a section on epigenetics and brain development. It is proposed to extend the DOHaD hypothesis into the 'Developmental Origins of Behaviour, Health, and Disease' (DOBHaD) concept. Pregnancy and the early postnatal period are times of both great opportunity and considerable risk, and their influence can extend over a lifetime. The DOBHaD hypothesis opens fundamental new perspectives on preventing diseases and disorders.
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Eggers K, De Nil LF, Van den Bergh BRH. Temperament dimensions in stuttering and typically developing children. J Fluency Disord 2010; 35:355-372. [PMID: 21130269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfludis.2010.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 10/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether children who stutter (CWS) and typically developing children (TDC) differ from each other on composite temperament factors or on individual temperament scales. METHODS Participants consisted of 116 age and gender-matched CWS and TDC (3.04-8.11). Temperament was assessed with a Dutch version of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ-D; Van den Bergh and Ackx, 2003), a caregiver rating scale. RESULTS Results indicated significant differences between participant groups on the composite temperament factors of Negative Affectivity, and Effortful Control. Analysis of the individual temperament scales showed that CWS, compared to the TDC, scored significantly lower on the scales of 'Inhibitory Control' and 'Attentional Shifting' and higher on the scales of 'Anger/Frustration', 'Approach' and 'Motor Activation'. Stuttering severity and months of therapy were not associated with either of the temperament dimensions. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides data that support the hypothesis that CWS and TDC differ on both composite temperament factors and temperament scales. The findings were interpreted within existing frameworks of temperament development, as well as with regard to previous studies of temperament in CWS. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES After reading this article, the reader will be able to: (1) describe the concept of temperament, including Rothbart's temperamental model, and its functional significance; (2) explain the CBQ-based (Children's Behavior Questionnaire) temperamental differences between CWS and CWNS; and (3) explain possible pathways for interaction between temperament and the development of stuttering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Eggers
- Department of Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology, Lessius University College, Belgium.
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Vanderperren K, De Vos M, Ramautar JR, Novitskiy N, Mennes M, Assecondi S, Vanrumste B, Stiers P, Van den Bergh BRH, Wagemans J, Lagae L, Sunaert S, Van Huffel S. Removal of BCG artifacts from EEG recordings inside the MR scanner: a comparison of methodological and validation-related aspects. Neuroimage 2010; 50:920-34. [PMID: 20074647 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Revised: 11/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multimodal approaches are of growing interest in the study of neural processes. To this end much attention has been paid to the integration of electroencephalographic (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data because of their complementary properties. However, the simultaneous acquisition of both types of data causes serious artifacts in the EEG, with amplitudes that may be much larger than those of EEG signals themselves. The most challenging of these artifacts is the ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifact, caused by pulse-related electrode movements inside the magnetic field. Despite numerous efforts to find a suitable approach to remove this artifact, still a considerable discrepancy exists between current EEG-fMRI studies. This paper attempts to clarify several methodological issues regarding the different approaches with an extensive validation based on event-related potentials (ERPs). More specifically, Optimal Basis Set (OBS) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) based methods were investigated. Their validation was not only performed with measures known from previous studies on the average ERPs, but most attention was focused on task-related measures, including their use on trial-to-trial information. These more detailed validation criteria enabled us to find a clearer distinction between the most widely used cleaning methods. Both OBS and ICA proved to be able to yield equally good results. However, ICA methods needed more parameter tuning, thereby making OBS more robust and easy to use. Moreover, applying OBS prior to ICA can optimize the data quality even more, but caution is recommended since the effect of the additional ICA step may be strongly subject-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Vanderperren
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Electrical Engineering, ESAT-SCD, Leuven, Belgium.
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Van den Bergh BRH. Some societal and historical scientific considerations regarding the mother-fetus relationship and parenthood. Inf Child Develop 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/icd.652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Silva M, Mijovic B, Van den Bergh BRH, Allegaert K, Aerts JM, Van Huffel S, Berckmans D. Decoupling between fundamental frequency and energy envelope of neonate cries. Early Hum Dev 2010; 86:35-40. [PMID: 20096511 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2009.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of decoupling, i.e. the absence of coupling between fundamental frequency variation and energy envelope during phonetic crying, and its extent, reflects the degree of maturation of the central nervous system. AIM We hereby wanted to assess the existence and extent of decoupling in term neonates (neurodevelopmental relevance) and whether an association between decoupling and clinical pain expression could be unveiled (clinical relevance). STUDY DESIGN To assess decoupling in healthy term neonates during procedural pain, newborns were videotaped and crying was recorded during venous blood sampling. Besides acoustic analysis, pain expression was quantified based on the Modified Behavioral Pain Scale (MBPS). SUBJECTS 47 healthy term neonates underwent venous blood puncture at the 3rd day of life. OUTCOME MEASURES Beside the MBPS score, the correlation coefficients were calculated between the fundamental frequency variation and energy envelope of the cries. RESULTS Based on data collected in 47 healthy term neonates, correlation coefficients varied between 0.20 and 0.68. The degree of decoupling displayed extensive variability between the neonates and also in different cry bouts in a crying sequence within an individual neonate. A negative association was found between MBPS value and decoupling (r(2)=-0.12), the same as for the intra-subject variability although less extensive (r(2)=-0.02). CONCLUSION Decoupling only relates weakly with the amount of distress in 3day old newborns, even though a great intra-subject variability is present. This study suggests that there is no evidence of extensive decoupling as the newborn still has to fully develop the control of larynx and abdominal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell Silva
- Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Eggers K, De Nil LF, Van den Bergh BRH. Factorial temperament structure in stuttering, voice-disordered, and typically developing children. J Speech Lang Hear Res 2009; 52:1610-1622. [PMID: 19717650 DOI: 10.1044/1092-4388(2009/07-0065)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether the underlying temperamental structure of the Dutch Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; B. Van den Bergh & M. Ackx, 2003) was identical for children who stutter (CWS), typically developing children (TDC), and children with vocal nodules (CWVN). METHOD A principal axis factor analysis was performed on data obtained with the Dutch CBQ from 69 CWS, 149 TDC, and 41 CWVN. All children were between the ages of 3;0 (years;months) and 8;11. RESULTS Results indicated a 3-factor solution, identified as Extraversion/Surgency, Negative Affect, and Effortful Control, for each of the participant groups, showing considerable similarity to previously published U.S., Chinese, Japanese, and Dutch samples. Congruence coefficients were highest for CWS and TDC and somewhat more modest when comparing CWVN and TDC. The Effortful Control factor consistently yielded the lowest congruence coefficients. CONCLUSION These data confirm that although stuttering, voice-disordered, and typically developing children may differ quantitatively with regard to mean scores on temperament scales, they are similar in terms of their overall underlying temperament structure. The equivalence of temperament structure provides a basis for further comparison of mean group scores on the individual temperament scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Eggers
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy and Audiology, Lessius University College, Sanderusstraat 45 Antwerp 2018, Belgium.
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Van den Bergh BRH, Van Calster B, Smits T, Van Huffel S, Lagae L. Antenatal maternal anxiety is related to HPA-axis dysregulation and self-reported depressive symptoms in adolescence: a prospective study on the fetal origins of depressed mood. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:536-45. [PMID: 17507916 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Depressive symptomatology can proceed from altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortex (HPA)-axis function. Some authors stress the role that early life stress (ELS) may play in the pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. However, the involvement of the HPA-axis in linking prenatal ELS with depressive symptoms has not been tested in a prospective-longitudinal study extending until after puberty in humans. Therefore, we examined whether antenatal maternal anxiety is associated with disturbances in HPA-axis regulation and whether the HPA-axis dysregulation mediates the association between antenatal maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms in post-pubertal adolescents. As part of a prospective-longitudinal study, we investigated maternal anxiety at 12-22, 23-32, and 32-40 weeks of pregnancy (wp) with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In the 14-15-year-old offspring (n=58) HPA-axis function was measured through establishing a saliva cortisol day-time profile. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Children's Depression symptoms Inventory (CDI). Results of regression analyses showed that antenatal exposure to maternal anxiety at 12-22 wp was in both sexes associated with a high, flattened cortisol day-time profile (P=0.0463) which, in female adolescents only, was associated with depressive symptoms (P=0.0077). All effects remained after controlling for maternal smoking, birth weight, obstetrical optimality, maternal postnatal anxiety and puberty phase. Our prospective study demonstrates, for the first time, the involvement of the HPA-axis in the link between antenatal maternal anxiety/prenatal ELS and depressive symptoms for post-pubertal female adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department of Psychology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tiensestraat, Leuven, Belgium.
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Van den Bergh BRH, Mulder EJH, Mennes M, Glover V. Antenatal maternal anxiety and stress and the neurobehavioural development of the fetus and child: links and possible mechanisms. A review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2005; 29:237-58. [PMID: 15811496 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 699] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A direct link between antenatal maternal mood and fetal behaviour, as observed by ultrasound from 27 to 28 weeks of gestation onwards, is well established. Moreover, 14 independent prospective studies have shown a link between antenatal maternal anxiety/stress and cognitive, behavioural, and emotional problems in the child. This link generally persisted after controlling for post-natal maternal mood and other relevant confounders in the pre- and post-natal periods. Although some inconsistencies remain, the results in general support a fetal programming hypothesis. Several gestational ages have been reported to be vulnerable to the long-term effects of antenatal anxiety/stress and different mechanisms are likely to operate at different stages. Possible underlying mechanisms are just starting to be explored. Cortisol appears to cross the placenta and thus may affect the fetus and disturb ongoing developmental processes. The development of the HPA-axis, limbic system, and the prefrontal cortex are likely to be affected by antenatal maternal stress and anxiety. The magnitude of the long-term effects of antenatal maternal anxiety/stress on the child is substantial. Programs to reduce maternal stress in pregnancy are therefore warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven (KULeuven), Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Van den Bergh BRH, Mennes M, Oosterlaan J, Stevens V, Stiers P, Marcoen A, Lagae L. High antenatal maternal anxiety is related to impulsivity during performance on cognitive tasks in 14- and 15-year-olds. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2004; 29:259-69. [PMID: 15811497 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2004] [Revised: 10/14/2004] [Accepted: 10/31/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study prospectively investigated the influence of antenatal maternal anxiety, measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory at 12-22, 23-31 and 32-40 postmenstrual weeks of pregnancy, on cognitive functioning in 57 adolescents (mean age 15 years). ANCOVAs showed effects of State anxiety at 12-22 weeks, after controlling for influences of State anxiety in later pregnancy and postnatal maternal Trait anxiety. Adolescents of high anxious pregnant women reacted impulsively in the Encoding task; they responded faster but made more errors than adolescents of low anxious women. They also scored lower on two administered WISC-R subtests. In the Stop task no differences in inhibiting ongoing responses were found between adolescents of high and low anxious pregnant women. We suspect that high maternal anxiety in the first half of pregnancy may negatively affect brain development of the fetus, reflected by impulsivity and lower WISC-R scores at 14-15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bea R H Van den Bergh
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Abstract
Associations between antenatal maternal anxiety, measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and disorders in 8- and 9-year-olds were studied prospectively in 71 normal mothers and their 72 firstborns. Clinical scales were completed by the mother, the child, the teacher, and an external observer. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that maternal state anxiety during pregnancy explained 22%, 15%, and 9% of the variance in cross-situational attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, externalizing problems, and self-report anxiety, respectively, even after controlling for child's gender, parents' educational level, smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, and postnatal maternal anxiety. Anxiety at 12 to 22 weeks postmenstrual age turned out to be a significant independent predictor whereas anxiety at 32 to 40 weeks was not. Results are consistent with a fetal programming hypothesis.
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Abstract
A downward extension of a Dutch version of Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) was tested in a Flemish sample of 880 1st to 3rd graders (Mage = 7.18 years, SD = 0.80). In 2nd and 3rd graders, 5 SPPC factors were identified; in 1st graders only 4 were identified. Support was found for the equivalence of structure and measurement for 2nd and 3rd grades and for boys and girls. Most scales possessed reasonable to good internal consistency for these groups. The results support the multidimensionality of self-concept responses for young children and the improving of the distinctiveness of SPPC factors with age. Young children seem to have an ability to verbalize concepts of their global self-worth that can be tapped by self-report measures.
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