Beyond sex differences: short- and long-term effects of pregnancy on the brain

Growing attention has been directed to the inclusion of females in neuroscience studies, and to the importance of studying sex as a biological variable. However, how female-specific factors such as menopause and pregnancy, affect the brain remains understudied. In this review, we use pregnancy as a case in point of a female-unique experience that can alter neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and cognition. We examine studies in both humans and rodents indicating that pregnancy can modify neural function in the short term, as well as alter the trajec-tory of brain aging. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of maternal age, fetal sex, number of pregnancies, and presence of pregnancy complications on brain health outcomes. We conclude by encouraging the scientific community to prior-itize researching female health by recognizing and including factors such as pregnancy history in research.

Automated summary

Growing attention is given to the inclusion of females in neuroscience studies and studying sex as a biological variable. However, there is limited research on how female-specific factors like menopause and pregnancy affect the brain. This review focuses on pregnancy as a unique female experience that can impact neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and cognition, highlighting studies in humans and rodents.