Journal
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
Volume 117, Issue -, Pages 5-25Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.031
Keywords
Maternal stress; Maternal anxiety; Maternal depression; MRI; Prenatal malnutrition; Brain morphology; Brain development; Nutrient restriction; Pregnancy
Categories
Funding
- European Community [279281]
- German Research Foundation [DFG] [FR 3709/1-1]
- National Institute of Health [NIH, NIA] [1U19AG057758-01A1]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
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. Timingand 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.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available