Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

Abstract

While animal studies have demonstrated a unique reproduction-related neuroplasticity, little is known on the effects of pregnancy on the human brain. Here we investigated whether pregnancy is associated with changes to resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture using a comprehensive pre-conception cohort study. We show that pregnancy leads to selective and robust changes in neural architecture and neural network organization, which are most pronounced in the Default Mode Network. These neural changes correlated with pregnancy hormones, primarily third-trimester estradiol, while no associations were found with other factors such as osmotic effects, stress and sleep. Furthermore, the changes related to measures of maternal-fetal bonding, nesting behavior and the physiological responsiveness to infant cues, and predicted measures of mother-infant bonding and bonding impairments. These findings suggest there are selective pregnancy-related modifications in brain structure and function that may facilitate peripartum maternal processes of key relevance to the mother-infant dyad.

Puberty and motherhood promote region-specific maturation of doublecortin cells in olfactory circuits of mice

“…Many studies have focused on the effect of motherhood to the offspring while failing to look after the consequences to the mothers themselves (Pawluski et al 2022; Navarro-Moreno et al 2022; Kundakovic and Champagne 2015). Different imaging techniques have allowed identification of structural and functional neuroplastic adaptations associated with motherhood in humans (Hoekzema et al 2022). However, these studies can only provide limited data and do not allow for cellular-type identification.…”

“…Throughout the lifespan of a female mammal, a myriad of psychobiological changes can determine their behavioural and neural responses. Motherhood constitutes a period of special importance due to its adaptive nature (Pawluski et al 2022; Hoekzema et al 2022). Not surprisingly, inadequate maternal behaviours are highly correlated with developmental and health deficits in the offspring (Fitzgerald, Hor, and Drake 2020).…”

“…Additionally, motherhood, particularly the first time, represents a challenging period for the mothers themselves. Despite its importance, many studies have focused on the long-lasting consequences to the offspring while neglecting the neurobehavioral changes in the mother (Pawluski et al 2022; Navarro-Moreno et al 2022; Kundakovic and Champagne 2015; Hoekzema et al 2022; Hillerer et al 2014).…”

Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study age and sex differences in brain injury and neurodegeneration after mild head trauma

“…The reproductive status of the female fly affects their aversive long-term memory, suggesting long-lasting changes in the function of specific neurons with homologous modulatory functions to the hypothalamus ( Scheunemann et al, 2019 ). Similarly, human pregnancy is associated with various changes to functional and structural plasticity such as increase in neurogenesis, remodeling of synaptic morphology, and alterations in connectivity ( Hoekzema et al, 2017 ; Barba-Müller et al, 2019 ; Hoekzema et al, 2022 ). The impairment of synaptic plasticity has been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD ( Sheng et al, 2012 ).…”

Menstrual cycle-driven hormone concentrations co-fluctuate with white and grey matter architecture changes across the whole brain

“…A larger corpus of work has probed the effect of menstrual cycle stage on regional and global grey matter volume. Grey matter morphology appears to be sensitive to hormonal transition periods, including puberty, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, menopause, and gender-affirming treatments (Herting et al, 2014; Hoekzema et al, 2017, 2022; Lisofsky et al, 2016; Mosconi et al, 2021; Petersen et al, 2015, 2021; Pol et al, 2006; Witte et al, 2010; Zeydan et al, 2019). Only a small body of studies have investigated time-varying changes in grey matter morphology across a natural menstrual cycle.…”