Stress during pregnancy is a common concern for expecting mothers, but its impact on the developing baby’s brain has long been a topic of scientific inquiry. A recent study looks at the relationship between stress hormones, specifically glucocorticoids, and fetal brain development, shedding light on how these hormones influence the growth and structure of the brain before birth.
Glucocorticoids play a vital role in regulating various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, and organ development, such as the brain and lungs. When the mother experiences stress, these hormones are released and can cross the placenta, reaching the fetus. Cortisol, one of the well-known stress hormones, is a prominent member of this group. In some cases, synthetic forms of glucocorticoids are prescribed during pregnancies at high risk for preterm delivery to aid in the maturation of the fetal lungs.
Anthi C. Krontira, leading a study in this area, discovered that glucocorticoids, when present during the early stages of pregnancy, can impact the formation of basal progenitor cells in the developing brain. These cells are crucial for the growth of the cerebral cortex, the region responsible for higher-order thinking processes. Utilizing brain organoids, which are models of the developing brain derived from human cells, researchers were able to mimic early developmental stages and gain insights into the initial steps of human brain development.
Glucocorticoids exert their influence on brain development through a protein called ZBTB16, ultimately leading to the production of more neurons. Interestingly, a genetic variant linked to increased ZBTB16 levels in response to glucocorticoids was associated with altered brain structure and higher educational attainment later in life. This correlation was further supported by data from a study following pregnant women and their offspring.
The timing of glucocorticoid exposure during pregnancy is crucial. While early exposure in the first or early second trimester enhances cognitive abilities by increasing progenitor cells and neurons, late exposure in the third trimester can lead to adverse effects such as loss of neuronal connections and an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in offspring. This disparity is attributed to the process of neurogenesis, which is active in early but not late gestation.
Elisabeth Binder, the director of the institute conducting the research, emphasizes the significance of understanding these earliest developmental processes. This knowledge could pave the way for therapeutic interventions at an early stage of human development through maternal care. By unraveling the cellular and molecular pathways involved, researchers aim to better comprehend the long-term consequences of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure on cognitive abilities and brain structure, offering hope for healthier outcomes for both mothers and babies.
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