Prenatal caffeine consumption and neurobehavioral disorders - A systematic review

Studies have suggested associations between gestational exposure to caffeine and adverse outcomes, however the evidence is still limited. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to investigate the association between prenatal caffeine exposure and neurobehavioral disorders. The MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS databases were searched. Observational studies involving women with documented caffeine consumption during pregnancy were eligible for inclusion. The outcomes evaluated were behavioral and intellectual development, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and related behaviors. The data were analyzed by qualitative synthesis. The ROBINS-I tool was employed to assess the risk of bias, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE (PROSPERO: CRD42023421164). The search yielded fourteen studies that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The sample size among pregnant women ranged from 173 to 64,189, and among children ranged from 88 to 49,190. Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy ranged from 0 to 1000 mg/day, with the highest levels observed during mid-pregnancy. Seven studies indicated a potential association between prenatal caffeine exposure and neurobehavioral/neurodevelopment deficits, one study showed that prenatal caffeine exposure improved peer problems, and six studies did not show a significant effect of prenatal caffeine consumption on neurobehavioral disorders. The included studies were classified as moderate for the risk of bias and with very low certainty of evidence. Thus, the evidence is insufficient to confirm with certainty that the prenatal caffeine exposure leads to neurobehavioral disorders. Studies heterogenicity, as well as their variable quality and the presence of several confounding factors, generate uncertainty.

Association of gestational weight gain rate in pregnant women with children's cognitive and behavioral development: A birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

The evidences on the relationship between gestational weight gain rate (GWGR) and children's cognitive and behavioral development have been limited.

METHODS

A total of 3273 singleton live birth mother-child pairs from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort in China were included in the study. Maternal GWGR was calculated based on the weights measured at multiple antenatal checkups. Children's cognitive and behavioral development were assessed by Chinese version of Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5. Then generalized linear models were performed for analyses.

RESULTS

In the field of children's cognitive development, excessive GWGR in the second trimester was associated with increased visual space index (VSI), fluid reasoning index (FRI) and full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) scores, while excessive GWGR in the third trimester was associated with decreased VSI, working memory index (WMI) and FSIQ scores. In the field of children's behavioral development, excessive GWGR in the second trimester was associated with decreased aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems scores.

LIMITATIONS

Children's behavioral development was assessed by main caregivers and might cause a certain degree of bias. There might be other potential confounders that we did not take into account.

CONCLUSIONS

A high GWGR in the second trimester might be beneficial for children's cognitive and behavioral development, while a high GWGR in the third trimester might be harmful.

Sex-specific association between maternal mild anemia and children's behavioral development: a birth cohort study

There has been limited research on maternal anemia affecting children's behavioral development, with a lack of studies focusing on sex differences in this association. Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, 2132 mother-child pairs were included. Maternal anemia was evaluated based on the hemoglobin concentration and children's behavioral development was assessed by Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5. Binary logistic regression models indicated that compared with children born of mothers without anemia throughout pregnancy, maternal mild anemia during pregnancy or only anemia in the 3rd trimester was associated with increased risks of aggressive behaviors in boys. Maternal mild anemia only in the 2nd trimester was associated with increased risks of attention problems in boys. In girls, maternal mild anemia during pregnancy was associated with increased risks of withdrawn, internalizing problems and total problems. Girls born of mothers with mild anemia only in the 2nd trimester had higher risks of total problems. Maternal mild anemia in both 2nd and 3rd trimesters was associated with increased risks of internalizing problems in girls. Our study identified sex-specific effects of maternal mild anemia during pregnancy on children's behavioral development problems.

Urban green spaces and behavioral and cognitive development in children: A health impact assessment of the Barcelona "Eixos Verds" Plan (Green Axis Plan)

BACKGROUND

Urban environments lack natural features, while nature exposure in cities has been associated with health benefits, including children's neurodevelopment. Through extensive street greening, Barcelona's Eixos Verds (Green Axis) Plan enhances safety, environment, and climate resilience. We aimed to assess the Eixos Verds Plan's potential impact on children's behavioral and cognitive development due to the increased green space expected under the Eixos Verds implementation.

METHODS

We performed a quantitative health impact assessment for Barcelona children at census-tract level (n = 1068). We assessed the Eixos Verds Plan's impact by comparing baseline green space distribution with the proposed plan, translating it into percentage green area (%GA) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). By combining these exposure metrics with child-specific risk estimates and population data, we estimated potential improvements in children's behavioral and cognitive development due to full Eixos Verds implementation.

RESULTS

With the full Eixos Verds implementation, citywide, %GA increased by 6.9% (IQR: 6.4%; range: 0-23.1%) and NDVI by 0.065 (IQR: 0.083; range: 0.000-0.194). Child behavioral and cognitive development outcomes are expected to improve compared to the baseline. Based on NDVI increases, children's Total Difficulties and Hyperactivity/Inattention scores, based on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), are projected to decrease by 5% (95% CI: 0-15%) and 6% (95% CI: 0-17%). Working Memory and Superior Working Memory scores are expected to increase by 4% and 5%, respectively, based on the computerized n-back test, while the Inattentiveness score could be reduced by 1%, based on the computerized attentional test (ANT).

INTERPRETATION

Urban greening as planning tool can improve behavioral and cognitive development in city children. Methods and results of our study are applicable to many cities worldwide, and similar results for children of real-life urban greening interventions can be expected.

Maternal sleep disturbances during late pregnancy and child neuropsychological and behavioral development in early childhood

The present study aims to explore the association of maternal sleep disturbances during late pregnancy on child neuropsychological and behavioral development in preschool years. The study included 638 mother-child pairs from the prospective Rhea mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece. Information on antenatal sleep disturbances was collected through a computer-assisted interview. Children's neuropsychological and behavioral development was assessed using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA), the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Test (ADHDT), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Multivariate analysis showed that maternal sleep duration less than 8 h was associated with reduced scores in the general cognitive scale (β = -2.28, 95% CI -4.54, -0.02, R2 = 0.417) and memory span (β = -3.24, 95% CI -5.72, -0.77, R2 = 0.304), while mild-severe daytime sleepiness was associated with reduced scores in the memory scale (β = -5.42, 95% CI -10.47, -0.37, R2 = 0.304), memory span (β = -5.44, 95% CI -10.68, -0.21, R2 = 0.304), nd functions of posterior cortex (β = -5.55, 95% CI -10.40, -0.70, R2 = 0.393) of MSCA. Snoring in late pregnancy was related to higher child hyperactivity scores in SDQ (β = 1.05, 95% CI 0.16, 1.95, R2 = 0.160). An interaction between child sex and maternal sleep duration in response to ADHD symptoms was also found (p for interaction < 0.05). Stratified analysis revealed increased hyperactivity, inattention, and ADHD total scores for girls of mothers with sleep duration less than 8 h. Maternal sleep disturbances during pregnancy may be associated with impaired child neuropsychological and behavioral development during the preschool years. Early detection and intervention is necessary to reduce sleep disturbances habits in pregnancy and improve child neurodevelopment.

Prenatal Stress Exposure Amplifies Effect of Maternal Suicidal Ideation on Early Childhood Behavioral Trajectories

The in utero environment influences fetal development and may predispose to disease later in life. This study examines whether maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy is associated with children's behavioral trajectories across early childhood, and whether prenatal maternal traumatic stress accelerates the trajectories. The study included mother-child dyads (N = 331, 51.1% boys) from the longitudinal Stress In Pregnancy study; 31.1% (n = 103) mothers were Exposed to Superstorm Sandy. During their second trimester, 12.4% (n = 41) women reported suicidal ideation during pregnancy. Mothers completed the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children-2 annually from ages 2- to 6-years-old to assess multiple behavioral domains. Hierarchical linear modeling estimated within-person longitudinal trajectories of clinical behaviors, and between-person effects of maternal suicidal ideation and disaster-related stress in utero on changes in child behavior. For children exposed to both risks, Atypical behaviors (i.e., unusual behaviors, social disconnection) increased linearly across early childhood. Exposure to Superstorm Sandy and maternal suicidal ideation were independently associated with non-linear increases in Anxiety severity and maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy was associated with a linear increase in Attention problems across early childhood. Maternal suicidal ideation during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for a range of behavioral and emotional difficulties in early childhood and the trajectory of atypical behaviors was amplified by disaster-related traumatic stress. Findings highlight the need for health professionals to screen for suicidal ideation among their pregnant patients. Pregnant women who experience severe stress may require additional monitoring and support to reduce risk for poorer early childhood outcomes.

Multiple benefits of juvenile play: A ground squirrel's perspective

Adaptive functions of play can vary across species, and also within species, reflecting behavioral ecology and evolutionary history. We evaluated juvenile play in Belding's ground squirrels (Urocitellus beldingi), a species for which field studies have assessed play behavior in the context of the squirrels' ecology and life history. Social play behavior in U. beldingi appears not to have the range of adaptive benefits related to social behavior apparent in species with more complex social organization. Play in juvenile U. beldingi improves general motor skill, which may translate to more proficient performance of behaviors during and beyond the juvenile period. Social play in juvenile squirrels is associated with refinement of temperament and behavior, promoting behavioral shifts toward less docile responses as well as more cautious behavior. Social play also influences behavior of juvenile squirrels in novel situations, fostering greater exploration and adaptability of responses. Important life events in U. beldingi such as the timing of natal dispersal and defense of maternal territories can be influenced by juvenile play.

Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is not associated with behavior problems in preschool and early school-aged children: A prospective multi-cohort study

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological study findings are inconsistent regarding associations between prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures and childhood behavior. This study examined associations of prenatal PAH exposure with behavior at age 4-6 years in a large, diverse, multi-region prospective cohort. Secondary aims included examination of PAH mixtures and effect modification by child sex, breastfeeding, and child neighborhood opportunity.

METHODS

The ECHO PATHWAYS Consortium pooled 1118 mother-child dyads from three prospective pregnancy cohorts in six U.S. cities. Seven PAH metabolites were measured in prenatal urine. Child behavior was assessed at age 4-6 using the Total Problems score from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Neighborhood opportunity was assessed using the socioeconomic and educational scales of the Child Opportunity Index. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations per 2-fold increase in each PAH metabolite, adjusted for demographic, prenatal, and maternal factors and using interaction terms for effect modifiers. Associations with PAH mixtures were estimated using Weighted Quantile Sum Regression (WQSR).

RESULTS

The sample was racially and sociodemographically diverse (38% Black, 49% White, 7% Other; household-adjusted income range $2651-$221,102). In fully adjusted models, each 2-fold increase in 2-hydroxynaphthalene was associated with a lower Total Problems score, contrary to hypotheses (b = -0.80, 95% CI = -1.51, -0.08). Associations were notable in boys (b = -1.10, 95% CI = -2.11, -0.08) and among children breastfed 6+ months (b = -1.31, 95% CI = -2.25, -0.37), although there was no statistically significant evidence for interaction by child sex, breastfeeding, or neighborhood child opportunity. Associations were null for other PAH metabolites; there was no evidence of associations with PAH mixtures from WQSR.

CONCLUSION

In this large, well-characterized, prospective study of mother-child pairs, prenatal PAH exposure was not associated with child behavior problems. Future studies characterizing the magnitude of prenatal PAH exposure and studies in older childhood are needed.

Associations between maternal prenatal depression and neonatal behavior and brain function - Evidence from the functional near-infrared spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Maternal prenatal depression is a significant public health issue associated with mental disorders of offspring. This study aimed to determine if maternal prenatal depressive symptoms are associated with changes in neonatal behaviors and brain function at the resting state.

METHODS

A total of 204 pregnant women were recruited during the third trimester and were evaluated by Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). The mother-infant pairs were divided into the depressed group (n = 75) and control group (n = 129) based on the EPDS, using a cut-off value of 10. Cortisol levels in the cord blood and maternal blood collected on admission for delivery were measured. On day three of life, all study newborns were evaluated by the Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) and 165 infants were evaluated by resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rs-fNIRS). To minimize the influences of potential bias on the rs-fNIRS results, we used a binary logistic regression model to carry out propensity score matching between the depressed group and the control group. Rs-fNIRS data from 21 pairs of propensity score-matched newborns were used for analysis. The associations between maternal EPDS scores, neonatal NBAS scores, and cortisol levels were analyzed using linear regressions and the mediation analysis models.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the newborns in the depressed group had lower scores in the social-interaction and autonomic system dimensions of NBAS (P < 0.01). Maternal and umbilical cord plasma cortisol levels in the depressed group were higher (P < 0.01) than in the control group. However, only umbilical cord plasma cortisol played a negative mediating role in the relationship between maternal EPDS and NBAS in the social-interaction and autonomic system (β med = -0.054 [-0.115,-0.018] and -0.052 [-0.105,-0.019]. Proportional mediation was 13.57 % and 12.33 for social-interaction and autonomic systems, respectively. The newborns in the depressed group showed decreases in the strength of rs-fNIRS functional connections, primarily the connectivity of the left frontal-parietal and temporal-parietal regions. However, infants in the depressed and control groups showed no differences in topological characteristics of the brain network, including standardized clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, small-world property, global efficiency, and local efficiency (P > 0.05). The social-interaction Z-scores had positive correlations with functional connectivity strength of left prefrontal cortex-left parietal lobe (r = 0.57, p < 0.01)，prefrontal cortex-left parietal lobe - left temporal lobe (r = 0.593, p < 0.01) and left parietal lobe - left temporal lobe (r = 0.498, p < 0.01). Autonomic system Z-scores were also significantly positive correlation with prefrontal cortex-left parietal lobe (r = 0.509, p < 0.01)，prefrontal cortex-left parietal lobe - left temporal lobe (r = 0.464, p < 0.01), left parietal lobe - left temporal lobe (r = 0.381, p < 0.05), and right temporal lobe and left temporal lobe (r = 0.310, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that maternal prenatal depression may affect the development of neonatal social-interaction and autonomic system and the strength of neonatal brain functional connectivity. The fetal cortisol may play a role in behavioral development in infants exposed to maternal prenatal depression. Our findings highlight the importance of prenatal screening for maternal depression and early postnatal behavioral evaluation that provide the opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

晚期早产儿脐血维生素D水平及维生素D3补充对婴幼儿行为发育的前瞻性随机对照研究

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in late preterm infants and the effect of vitamin D₃ supplementation on the neurobehavioral development of infants and young children.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 161 late preterm infants who were admitted from June 2017 to June 2020 were enrolled. According to the level of 25(OH)D in umbilical cord blood, they were divided into three groups: sufficiency group (n=52), insufficiency group (n=53), and deficiency group (n=56). Each group was further divided into subgroup A (vitamin D₃ 800 IU/d) and subgroup B (individualized vitamin D₃ supplementation) using a random number table. The levels of 25(OH)D were measured at 3 months after birth and at the corrected ages of 10 months and 18 months. The neurobehavioral development levels were determined by the Gesell Developmental Scale at the corrected ages of 10 months and 18 months.

RESULTS

Within 24 hours and 3 months after birth, the insufficiency group and the deficiency group had a significantly lower level of 25(OH)D than the sufficiency group (P<0.05), and the insufficiency group had a significantly higher level of 25(OH)D than the deficiency group (P<0.05). In the deficiency group, subgroup B had a significantly higher level of 25(OH)D than subgroup A (P<0.05) at 3 months after birth. At the corrected ages of 10 months and 18 months, the insufficiency and deficiency groups had significantly lower scores of five functional areas of the Gesell Development Scale than the sufficiency group (P<0.05). Compared with the insufficiency group, the deficiency group had a significantly lower score of language at the corrected age of 10 months and a significantly lower score of gross motor at the corrected age of 18 months (P<0.05). Compared with subgroup A of the deficiency group, subgroup B had a significantly higher score of adaptive ability at the corrected age of 10 months and significantly higher scores of adaptive ability and response ability at the corrected age of 18 months (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant difference in the level of 25(OH)D in umbilical cord blood in late preterm infants. Individualized vitamin D supplementation appears to be more effective for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D level at birth and in early infancy has certain influence on neurobehavioral development.

Sex-specific association between placental inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and preschoolers' behavioral development: The Ma'anshan birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Placental inflammation may contribute to brain abnormalities and childhood neuropsychiatric disorders, but limited knowledge is available on the association of placental inflammatory cytokine levels and offspring's behavioral development. This study aimed to examine the sex-specific association between placental inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and preschoolers' behavioral development.

METHODS

3474 pregnant women were recruited as the initial study population in the Ma'anshan birth cohort (MABC) study. Placentas (n = 2519) were collected during childbirth, and the mRNA expression of IL-8, IL-1β, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-4 was assessed. The Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL 1.5-5) was used to assess children's behavioral development at 4 years old. A T-score ≥ 60 on summary scales or a score ≥ 65 on syndrome scales was regarded as the borderline clinical range. Multiple linear regression models and binary logistic regression models were applied to explore the sex-specific associations between placental inflammatory cytokines mRNA transcript levels and preschoolers' behavioral development.

RESULTS

Sex-specific associations between placental inflammatory cytokines mRNA expression and preschoolers' behavioral development were observed. There was a positive association between IL-8 and CBCL scores for boys on anxious/depressed problems, aggressive behaviors, externalizing problems and total problems. Logistic regression models showed that high levels of IL-8 were associated with a higher risk of girls' emotionally reactive problems and sleep problems compared to low/medium levels. High TNF-α was correlated with increased sleep problem scores in boys, and medium TNF-α (vs. low levels) was associated with an increased risk of girls' externalizing problems. Medium levels of CRP, IL-1β, and IL-6 were found to be associated with a decreased risk of girls' behavioral problems compared to low/high levels. For anti-inflammatory cytokines, medium IL-10 and IL-4 (vs. low levels) were observed to be associated with a lower risk of internalizing problems in boys and externalizing problems in girls, respectively. High IL-10 was correlated with decreased attention problem scores in boys.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that placental inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression of IL-8, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 may be associated with preschoolers' behavioral development in a sex-specific manner.

Do female bonobos (Pan paniscus) disperse at the onset of puberty? Hormonal and behavioral changes related to their dispersal timing

Natal dispersal is a milestone in an animal's life history, but its timing in developmental trajectories may differ between species. Although the two Pan species exhibit a similar pattern of female-biased dispersal, female bonobos (P. paniscus) leave their natal groups at an earlier age than female chimpanzees (P. troglodytes). As a preliminary step to explore the dispersal strategies of female bonobos, this study aimed to determine the relations of sexual swelling development, behavioral and hormonal activation, and first ovulation relative to dispersal timing. We measured levels of urinary estrone conjugates (E₁C) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) from 14 nulliparous females in wild bonobo groups at Wamba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and recorded their copulations with mature males. When close to dispersal, female bonobos exhibited swelling of the sexual skin (labia minora and perianal region) that did not reach the mature stage. Urinary E₁C levels and copulation rates increased slightly before dispersal and greatly increased after dispersal. Ovulatory or gestatory signs implied by daily hormone profiles were not detected until one to two years after dispersal. Our findings indicate that female bonobos disperse at an early pubertal stage before ovulatory cycling is established. This earlier dispersal than sexual maturation could allow female bonobos to postpone reproduction-related energy costs until they become familiar with their new group or gain more time finding the group more suitable for successful reproduction in the future before actually settling. Further demographic and genetic data from dispersal to reproduction will help clarify their dispersal strategies.

No evidence for innate differences in tadpole behavior between natural, urbanized, and invasive populations

Abstract

Animals are increasingly challenged to respond to novel or rapidly changing habitats due to urbanization and/or displacement outside their native range by humans. Behavioral differences, such as increased boldness (i.e., propensity for risk-taking), are often observed in animals persisting in novel environments; however, in many cases, it is unclear how these differences arise (e.g., through developmental plasticity or evolution) or when they arise (i.e., at what age or developmental stage). In the Guttural Toad (Sclerophrys gutturalis), adult urban toads from both native and invasive ranges are bolder than conspecifics in natural habitats. Here, we reared Guttural Toad tadpoles in a common garden experiment, and tested for innate differences in boldness across their development and between individuals whose parents and lineage came from rural-native, urban-native, and urban-invasive localities (i.e., origin populations). Tadpoles did not differ in their boldness or in how their boldness changed over ontogeny based on their origin populations. In general, tadpoles typically became less bold as they aged, irrespective of origin population. Our findings indicate that differences in boldness in free-living adult Guttural Toads are not innate in the tadpole stage and we discuss three possible mechanisms driving phenotypic divergence in adult boldness for the focus of future research: habitat-dependent developmental effects on tadpole behavior, decoupled evolution between the tadpole and adult stage, and/or behavioral flexibility, learning, or acclimatization during the adult stage.

Significance statement

To determine if animals can persist in urban areas or become invasive outside their native ranges, it is important to understand how they adapt to life in the city. Our study investigates if differences in boldness that have been found in adult Guttural Toads (Sclerophrys gutturalis) represent heritable differences that can also be found in early life stages by rearing tadpoles from eggs in a common garden experiment. We did not find any differences in boldness among tadpoles from rural-native, urban-native, and urban-invasive origin populations. Our findings suggest that differences in boldness are not innate and/or that boldness is a behavioral trait that is decoupled between the tadpole and the adult stage.

Childhood exercise as medicine: Extracurricular sport diminishes subsequent ADHD symptoms

Extracurricular sport has been a valued educational investment to promote both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. Few longitudinal studies have tested whether extracurricular sport is associated with inattentive/hyperactive symptoms. Using a prospective-longitudinal birth cohort of 758 girls and 733 boys, we examined the prospective relationship between consistent middle childhood participation in extracurricular sport and subsequent ADHD symptoms. We hypothesized that engaging in extracurricular sport will promote reductions in symptoms. As a predictor, mothers reported on whether the child participated in sport or organized physical activities with a coach/instructor at ages 6, 7, 8, and 10 years. Developmental trajectories of the sport predictor, from ages 6 to 10 years, were generated using longitudinal latent class analysis. At age 12 years, sixth grade teachers reported on child ADHD symptom outcomes observed in the school setting over the last 6 months. ADHD symptoms were linearly regressed on trajectories of participation in organized sport in boys and girls, while controlling for pre-existing child and family characteristics. For girls, consistent participation in organized sport significantly predicted lower subsequent ADHD symptoms, compared with girls with low-inconsistent participation (unstandardized B = 0.07, p ≤ .05, 95% CI, 0.01-0.14). Early sustained middle childhood involvement in organized sport seems beneficial for the subsequent behavioral development of girls but no associations were found for boys. Middle childhood participation in structured venues that demand physical skill and effort with a coach or instructor may thus represent a valuable policy strategy to promote this aspect of behavioral development for girls.

Antibiotics in hives and their effects on honey bee physiology and behavioral development

Recurrent honeybee losses make it critical to understand the impact of human interventions, such as antibiotic use in apiculture. Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat bacterial infections in colonies. However, little is known about their effects on honeybee development. We studied the effect of two commercial beekeeping antibiotics on the bee physiology and behavior throughout development. Our results show that antibiotic treatments have an effect on amount of lipids and rate of behavioral development. Lipid amount in treated bees was higher than those not treated. Also, the timing of antibiotic treatment had distinct effects for the age of onset of behaviors, starting with cleaning, then nursing and lastly foraging. Bees treated during larva-pupa stages demonstrated an accelerated behavioral development and loss of lipids, while bees treated from larva to adulthood had a delay in behavioral development and loss of lipids. The effects were shared across the two antibiotics tested, TerramycinR (oxytetracycline) and TylanR (tylosin tartrate). These effects of antibiotic treatments suggest a role of microbiota in the interaction between the fat body and brain that is important for honeybee behavioral development.This paper has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the article.

Similar names, different results: Consistency of the associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and parent-ratings of behavior problems in preschool children

BACKGROUND

Environmental health research has reported mixed findings on the associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and parent-ratings of child behavioral problems.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the consistency of the associations between prenatal urinary phthalate concentrations and child behavior scores across two standardized instruments - the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Second Edition (BASC-2) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) - using two analytical approaches used to correct for urine dilution.

METHOD

A sample of 351 mother-child pairs were selected from a prospective birth cohort of pregnant women enrolled between 2009 and 2012. Women provided spot urine samples during the second trimester of pregnancy, which were analyzed for levels of nine urinary phthalate metabolites. When their typically developing children were 3-4 years of age, mothers completed the BASC-2 and CBCL on the same day. Adjusted regression analyses examined the associations between maternal prenatal phthalate concentrations and child behavior scores on the BASC-2 and CBCL. To correct for urine dilution, primary regression analyses included urinary creatinine concentration as a separate independent variable (i.e., covariate). In the secondary regression analyses, creatinine-adjusted phthalate concentrations were used.

RESULTS

Primary logistic regression analyses that included urinary creatinine as a covariate showed that higher prenatal phthalate concentrations were related to increased odds of scores falling into the borderline or clinical range on the Hyperactivity, Aggression, Anxiety, Depression, Withdrawal, Externalizing Problems, Internalizing Problems, and Behavioral Symptoms Index scales on the BASC-2 (ORs from 1.39 to 2.07), but only the Anxious/Depressed and Externalizing Problems scales on the CBCL (ORs from 1.80 to 3.28). Primary linear regression analyses showed that higher prenatal phthalate concentrations were related to higher scores on the Externalizing Problems (β's = 0.16), Internalizing Problems (β's from 0.16 to 0.20), and Behavioral Symptoms Index (β's from 0.18 to 0.21) scales on the BASC-2, but not related to any CBCL scales. Sex-stratified analyses found that many associations were only significant for male children. Secondary analyses using creatinine-adjusted phthalate concentrations revealed that some of the associations from the primary analyses remained significant; however, a number of unique associations were observed.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal phthalate exposure was associated with preschool behavioral development; however, findings were not consistent for the BASC-2 and CBCL, especially related to the clinical/syndrome scales and Internalizing Problems scale. Further, many findings differed based on the analytical approach used to correct for urine dilution. Future work is needed to delineate the similarities and differences between similarly named child behavior constructs assessed by different neurodevelopmental assessments. Also, research is needed to better understand why and how different analytical approaches influence the reported associations between maternal prenatal phthalate concentrations and children's behavior problems.

The effects of paternal perinatal depression on socioemotional and behavioral development of children: A meta-analysis of prospective studies

A meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the literature concerning the effects of paternal perinatal depression (PPND) on socioemotional and behavioral development in children. We assessed the literature using searches in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to November 2019 and supplemented it by manual searches. Two authors independently selected the eligible studies and extracted data, and three authors assessed the quality of the studies. To explore the effects of PPND on a child's socioemotional and behavioral development, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted, followed by the construction of a funnel plot. Nine studies were included for review. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of behavioral problems in children with PPND as compared to non-PPND was 1.209 (95% CI: 1.137-1.285), the pooled OR of emotional problems in children with PPND was 1.265 (95% CI: 1.180-1.356), and the pooled OR of social functions in children with PPND was OR=1.299 (95% CI: 0.972-1.736). PPND may play a significant role in adversely impacting the emotional and behavioral development in children during early childhood. Thus, interventions for PPND should be initiated to make up the negative effect of PPND on a child's emotional and behavioral development.

Does the early social environment prepare individuals for the future? A match-mismatch experiment in female wild cavies

Background

The social environment that mothers experience during pregnancy and lactation has a strong effect on the developing offspring. Whether offspring can be adaptively shaped to match an environment that is similar to the maternal one is still a major question in research. Our previous work in wild cavies showed that females whose mothers lived in a stable social environment with few social challenges during pregnancy and lactation (SE-daughters) developed different behavioral phenotypes than females whose mothers lived in an unstable social environment with frequent social challenges during pregnancy and lactation (UE-daughters). In the present study we investigated whether SE-daughters are better adapted to a stable social environment, similar to their maternal one, than are UE-daughters, for which the stable social environment represents a mismatch with their maternal one. For this purpose, we established pairs of one UE- and one SE-daughter and housed them together under stable social conditions for one week. Dominance ranks, behavioral profiles, glucocorticoid levels, cortisol responsiveness and body weight changes were compared between the groups. We hypothesized that SE-daughters fare better in a stable social setting compared to UE-daughters.

Results

After one week of cohabitation in the stable social condition, UE-daughters had higher glucocorticoid levels, tended to gain less body weight within the first three days and displayed higher frequencies of energy-demanding behaviors such as rearing and digging than SE-daughters. However, there was no difference in cortisol responsiveness as well as in dominance ranks between UE- and SE-daughters.

Conclusion

Higher glucocorticoid levels and less body weight gain imply that UE-daughters had higher energy demands than SE-daughters. This high energy demand of UE-daughters is further indicated by the increased display of rearing and digging behavior. Rearing implies increased vigilance, which is far too energy demanding in a stable social condition but may confer an advantage in an unstable social environment. Hence, SE-daughters seem to better match a stable social environment, similar to their maternal one, than do UE-daughters, who encountered a mismatch to their maternal environment. This data supports the environmental matching hypothesis, stating that individuals manage the best in environments that correspond to their maternal ones.

Behavioral Performance and Neural Systems Are Robust to Sensory Injury in Workers of the Ant Pheidole dentata

Miniaturized nervous systems have been thought to limit behavioral ability, and animals with miniaturized brains may be less flexible when challenged by injuries resulting in sensory deficits that impact the development, maintenance, and plasticity of small-scale neural networks. We experimentally examined how injuries to sensory structures critical for olfactory ability affect behavioral performance in workers of the ant Pheidole dentata, which have minute brains (0.01 mm3) and primarily rely on the perception and processing of chemical signals and cues to direct their social behavior. We employed unilateral antennal denervation to decrease the olfactory perception ability of workers and quantified consequential neuroanatomical and behavioral performance effects. Postablation neuroanatomical metrics revealed a 25% reduction in the volume of the antennal lobe ipsilateral to the antennal lesion relative to the contralateral lobe, indicating atrophy of the input-deprived tissue. However, antennectomy did not affect the volumes of the mushroom body or its subcompartments or the number of mushroom body synaptic complexes (microglomeruli) in either brain hemisphere. Synapsin immunoreactivity, however, was significantly higher in the ipsilateral mushroom body calyces, which could reflect presynaptic potentiation and homeostatic compensation in higher-order olfactory regions. Despite tissue loss caused by antennal lesioning and resulting unilateral sensory deprivation, the ability of workers to perform behaviors that encompass the breadth of their task repertoire and meet demands for colony labor remained largely intact. The few behavioral deficits recorded were restricted to pheromone trail-following ability, a result that was expected due to the need for bilateral olfactory input to process spatial odor information. Our macroscopic and cellular neuroanatomical measurements and assessments of task performance demonstrate that the miniaturized brains of P. dentata workers and their sensorimotor functions are remarkably robust to injury-related size reduction and remain capable of generating behaviors required to respond appropriately to chemical social signals and effectively nurse immatures, as well as participate in coordinated foraging.

Adverse childhood experiences and behavioral problems in middle childhood

Children who have been exposed to maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for various negative adult health outcomes, including cancer, liver disease, substance abuse, and depression. However, the proximal associations between ACEs and behavioral outcomes during the middle childhood years have been understudied. In addition, many of the ACE studies contain methodological limitations such as reliance on retrospective reports and limited generalizability to populations of lower socioeconomic advantage. The current study uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national urban birth cohort, to prospectively assess the adverse experiences and subsequent behavior problems of over 3000 children. Eight ACE categories to which a child was exposed by age 5 were investigated: childhood abuse (emotional and physical), neglect (emotional and physical), and parental domestic violence, anxiety or depression, substance abuse, or incarceration. Results from bivariate analyses indicated that Black children and children with mothers of low education were particularly likely to have been exposed to multiple ACE categories. Regression analyses showed that exposure to ACEs is strongly associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors and likelihood of ADHD diagnosis in middle childhood. Variation in these associations by racial/ethnic, gender, and maternal education subgroups are examined. This study provides evidence that children as young as 9 begin to show behavioral problems after exposure to early childhood adversities.

Adverse childhood experiences and behavioral problems in middle childhood

Children who have been exposed to maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for various negative adult health outcomes, including cancer, liver disease, substance abuse, and depression. However, the proximal associations between ACEs and behavioral outcomes during the middle childhood years have been understudied. In addition, many of the ACE studies contain methodological limitations such as reliance on retrospective reports and limited generalizability to populations of lower socioeconomic advantage. The current study uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a national urban birth cohort, to prospectively assess the adverse experiences and subsequent behavior problems of over 3000 children. Eight ACE categories to which a child was exposed by age 5 were investigated: childhood abuse (emotional and physical), neglect (emotional and physical), and parental domestic violence, anxiety or depression, substance abuse, or incarceration. Results from bivariate analyses indicated that Black children and children with mothers of low education were particularly likely to have been exposed to multiple ACE categories. Regression analyses showed that exposure to ACEs is strongly associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors and likelihood of ADHD diagnosis in middle childhood. Variation in these associations by racial/ethnic, gender, and maternal education subgroups are examined. This study provides evidence that children as young as 9 begin to show behavioral problems after exposure to early childhood adversities.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder severity, diagnosis, & later academic achievement in a national sample

Although 11% (6.4 million) American children are diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the role of ADHD severity in shaping the association between ADHD diagnosis and academic achievement is not understood. Using a nationally-representative sample of 7830 U.S. kindergartners from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, we use regression and propensity score matching to compare diagnosed (N = 350) and undiagnosed children who are cognitively, behaviorally, and demographically similar. Diagnosed children with less severe ADHD-related behaviors on average scored lower in reading (-0.30 SD) and math (-0.22 SD) than their undiagnosed peers - a difference two times larger than that between diagnosed and undiagnosed children with more severe ADHD-related behaviors. Pharmacological treatment did not attenuate most of this "diagnostic labeling effect" among children with less severe ADHD-related behaviors. Negative factors associated with an ADHD diagnosis may outweigh potential benefits for achievement among children with less severe ADHD-related behaviors, even those receiving treatment.

Cross-fostering: Elucidating the effects of gene×environment interactions on phenotypic development

Cross-fostering of litters from soon after birth until weaning is a valuable tool to study the ways in which gene×environment interactions program the development of neural, physiological and behavioral characteristics of mammalian species. In laboratory mice and rats, the primary focus of this review, cross-fostering of litters between mothers of different strains or treatment groups (intraspecific) or between mothers of different species (interspecific) has been conducted over the past 9 decades. Areas of particular interest have included maternal effects on emotionality, social preferences, responses to stressful stimulation, nutrition and growth, blood pressure regulation, and epigenetic effects on brain development and behavior. Results from these areas of research highlight the critical role of the postnatal maternal environment in programming the development of offspring phenotypic characteristics. In addition, experimental paradigms that have included cross-fostering have permitted investigators to tease apart prenatal versus postnatal effects of various treatments on offspring development and behavior.

The impact of obstetric mode of delivery on childhood behavior

PURPOSE

We investigated the hypothesis that mode of delivery affects childhood behavior and motor development and examined whether there are sex-specific associations, i.e., whether males and females have different risk estimates.

METHODS

Families with infants born between December 2007 and May 2008 (N = 11,134) were randomly selected and recruited to the Growing Up in Ireland study. Mode of delivery was classified into spontaneous vaginal delivery; instrumental vaginal delivery; emergency Cesarean section (CS); and elective CS. The 'Ages and Stages Questionnaire' was completed at age 9-months and the 'Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire' at 3 years. Data were weighted to represent the national sample (N = 73,662) and multivariate logistic regression was used for the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

At age 9 months, elective CS was associated with a delay in personal social skills [adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.24; (95% confidence interval, CI 1.04, 1.48)] and gross motor function [aOR 1.62, (95% CI 1.34, 1.96)], whereas emergency CS was associated with delayed gross motor function [aOR 1.30, (95% CI 1.06, 1.59)]. At age 3 years there was no significantly increased risk of an abnormal total SDQ score across all modes of delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Children born by elective CS may face a delay in cognitive and motor development at age 9 months. No increase in total SDQ score was found across all modes of delivery. Further investigation is needed to replicate these findings in other populations and explore the potential biological mechanisms.

The impact of atypical early histories on pet or performer chimpanzees

It is widely accepted that an animal's early history, including but not limited to its rearing history, can have a profound impact on later behavior. In the case of captive animals, many studies have used categorical measures such as mother reared or human reared that do not account for both the influence of human and conspecific interaction. In order to account for the influence of both human and conspecific early exposure to later behavior, we collected 1385 h of data on 60 chimpanzees, of which 36 were former pets or performers, currently housed at accredited zoos or sanctuaries. We developed a unique metric, the Chimpanzee-Human Interaction (CHI) Index that represented a continuous measure of the proportion of human and chimpanzee exposure subjects experienced and here focused on their exposure during the first four years of life. We found that chimpanzees who experienced less exposure to other chimpanzees as infants showed a lower frequency of grooming and sexual behaviors later in life which can influence social dynamics within groups. We also found chimpanzees who experienced more exposure to other chimpanzees as infants showed a higher frequency of coprophagy, suggesting coprophagy could be a socially-learned behavior. These results help characterize some of the long-term effects borne by chimpanzees maintained as pets and performers and may help inform managers seeking to integrate these types of chimpanzees into larger social groups, as in zoos and sanctuaries. In addition, these results highlight the necessity of taking into account the time-weighted influence of human and conspecific interactions when assessing the impact that humans can have on animals living in captivity.

Chronic social stress in puberty alters appetitive male sexual behavior and neural metabolic activity

Repeated social subjugation in early puberty lowers testosterone levels. We used hamsters to investigate the effects of social subjugation on male sexual behavior and metabolic activity within neural systems controlling social and motivational behaviors. Subjugated animals were exposed daily to aggressive adult males in early puberty for postnatal days 28 to 42, while control animals were placed in empty clean cages. On postnatal day 45, they were tested for male sexual behavior in the presence of receptive female. Alternatively, they were tested for mate choice after placement at the base of a Y-maze containing a sexually receptive female in one tip of the maze and an ovariectomized one on the other. Social subjugation did not affect the capacity to mate with receptive females. Although control animals were fast to approach females and preferred ovariectomized individuals, subjugated animals stayed away from them and showed no preference. Cytochrome oxidase activity was reduced within the preoptic area and ventral tegmental area in subjugated hamsters. In addition, the correlation of metabolic activity of these areas with the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and anterior parietal cortex changed significantly from positive in controls to negative in subjugated animals. These data show that at mid-puberty, while male hamsters are capable of mating, their appetitive sexual behavior is not fully mature and this aspect of male sexual behavior is responsive to social subjugation. Furthermore, metabolic activity and coordination of activity in brain areas related to sexual behavior and motivation were altered by social subjugation.

Preschool behavioral problems in children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs - a follow-up study

We studied the association between maternal epilepsy, antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment, and behavioral problems in preschool children. In the Danish National Birth Cohort, we identified 4- to 5-year-old children whose mothers had epilepsy and received AED treatment (n=133) or not (n=304) during pregnancy and compared them with randomly selected children whose mothers did not have epilepsy (n=1193). The children's behavioral problems were assessed by the use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Children prenatally exposed to AEDs more often had an abnormal total SDQ score as compared with children of women without epilepsy (odds ratio (OR)=4.8 (95% CI: 1.9-12.1)) and as compared with children of women with epilepsy who were not treated with AEDs during their pregnancy (OR=4.0 (95% CI: 1.3-12.8)). In conclusion, prenatal AED exposure may increase the risk of behavioral problems in preschool children even after adjustments for potential confounders and maternal epilepsy.

Behavioral and developmental changes in rats with prenatal exposure of mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is an often used antidepressant drug; however insufficient information is available regarding its safety during pregnancy. Therefore, this work was initiated to study the effect of prenatal exposure of mirtazapine on postnatal developments of rats. The study was conducted on pregnant rats to observe the safety profile of mirtazapine in comparison to control. The percentage weight gain, gestation period and litter size of the rats treated with double therapeutic dose (DTD) was significantly lower than the rats treated with therapeutic dose (TD) and rats of control group. However the litter size of the TD treated rats was also found smaller than the control. The offspring were examined through battery of test in order to evaluate their developmental neurotoxicity. The test includes the assessment of postnatal growth, reflex ontogeny, neuromotor abilities, activity level, emotional reactivity and learning ability. The DTD exposure negatively affected on overall growth of pups in comparison to TD exposed pups and control group. Further, the amine concentration in brain was also found significantly lower in DTD exposed pups. Therefore, this study reveals that the treatment of pregnant rats with TD and DTD decreases their litter size. In addition the prenatal exposure of DTD of mirtazapine negatively affects on neurodevelopment of rats.