Perinatal period is a time of particular vulnerability to stress which has serious consequences on the developing foetus through both maternal behaviours and physiological changes. Such distress can result from natural or man-made disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, war or terrorist acts. Besides, not only in socio-economically disadvantaged regions with less educated background and high unemployment rates, but also in every civilized society; pregnant women are exposed to intimate partner and patriarchal family violence, as well as interpersonal tensions or adverse conditions in the workplace.1 Moreover, pregnancy related risk factors and dramatic fluctuations in gonadal hormone levels increase the prevalence of mood disorders and anxiety symptoms during this period. 2-4 Regardless of its nature and origin, stressful situations are considered as a 'threat to homeostasis' and a series of morphological, physiological and behavioural responses occur to restore the original condition. 5 Unfortunately, these responses negatively affect the rate of development, mental and physical health of the offspring and increase the incidence of preterm birth, lower birth weights and smaller head circumferences.6-8In turn, less optimal birth outcomes can lead to longterm cognitive impairments and motor disabilities.There is also compelling evidence showing that stress exposure during prenatal life enhances susceptibility for emotional problems and behavioural disorders later in
Effects of prenatal stress on developmental anatomy of the brain and adult behavioural pathology
Emel Ulup›nar
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskiflehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
AbstractDuring critical or sensitive periods of development, the brain is highly plastic and particularly vulnerable to environmental adverse effects, including stress. In response to gestational stress, activation of the sympathetic system, the HPA axis and the central limbic stress loop increase the level of circulating glucocorticoids and catecholamines in both mother and foetus. Exposure to the excess amount of corticosteroids permanently reduces the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors; thereby leading to an attenuation of the HPA axis feedback sensitivity and enhanced responsiveness to stress in the adult offspring. In the assessment of consequences at the behavioural, functional, and morphological levels; experimental animal models of maternal stress are extremely useful, in which the timing, intensity and duration of stress exposure can be readily controlled. These animal studies have revealed important links between prenatal stress exposure, life-long changes in the HPA function, and enhanced risk for subsequent psychopathology in a sex-specific manner. The aim of this review is to examine the impacts of prenatal stress on developmental anatomy of the brain, particularly focusing on the relevant emotional and behavioural outcomes within the context of current data obtained from experimental animals.