TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of maternal stress and nutrient restriction during gestation on offspring neuroanatomy in humans
AU - Franke, Katja
AU - van den Bergh, Bea R. H.
AU - de Rooij, Susanne R.
AU - Kroegel, Nasim
AU - Nathanielsz, Peter W.
AU - Rakers, Florian
AU - Roseboom, Tessa J.
AU - Witte, Otto W.
AU - Schwab, Matthias
PY - 2020/10
Y1 - 2020/10
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Brain development
KW - Brain morphology
KW - MRI
KW - Maternal anxiety
KW - Maternal depression
KW - Maternal stress
KW - Nutrient restriction
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Prenatal malnutrition
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85080079067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.031
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.031
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32001273
SN - 0149-7634
VL - 117
SP - 5
EP - 25
JO - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
JF - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
ER -