Influence of maternal thyroid hormones during gestation on fetal brain development. (7th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moog, N.K.; Entringer, S.; Heim, C.; Wadhwa, P.D.; Kathmann, N.; Buss, C.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 342(2017)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07
• Subjects: 11β-HSD2 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 -- ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone -- ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- ASD autism spectrum disorder -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- CNS central nervous system -- CRH corticotropin-releasing hormone -- D deiodinase -- DG dentate gyrus -- fT3 free triiodothyronine -- fT4 free thyroxine -- GABA γ-aminobutyric acid -- GAD65 glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 -- GC glucocorticoid -- GH growth hormone -- hCG human chorionic gonadotropin -- HPA hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal -- HPT hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid -- KCC2 K+/Cl− cotransporter -- l-T4 l-thyroxine -- LTP long-term potentiation -- MBP myelin basic protein -- MCT monocarboxylate transporter -- MDI mental development index -- MMI methimazole -- NIS sodium-iodide symporter -- OATP organic anion transporting peptide -- OH overt hypothyroidism -- PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder -- PTU propylthiouracil -- PV parvalbumin -- PVN paraventricular nucleus -- RCT randomized control trial -- rT3 reverse T3 -- SCH subclinical hypothyroidism -- T3 triiodothyronine -- T4 thyroxine -- TBG thyroxine-binding globulin -- TH thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) -- THT transmembrane thyroid hormone-transporter -- TPO thyroid peroxidase -- TR thyroid hormone receptor -- TRH thyrotropin-releasing hormone -- TRβ thyroid receptor-β -- TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone -- TTR transthyretin -- WHO World Health Organization; fetal programing -- pregnancy -- thyroid hormones -- HPT axis -- brain development -- stress; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Thyroid hormones (THs) are crucial for key maturational processes during early brain development. Maternal TH deficiency during pregnancy may result in impaired offspring cognitive development. Gestational conditions related to stress may modulate maternal thyroid function. Abstract: Thyroid hormones (THs) play an obligatory role in many fundamental processes underlying brain development and maturation. The developing embryo/fetus is dependent on maternal supply of TH. The fetal thyroid gland does not commence TH synthesis until mid gestation, and the adverse consequences of severe maternal TH deficiency on offspring neurodevelopment are well established. Recent evidence suggests that even more moderate forms of maternal thyroid dysfunction, particularly during early gestation, may have a long-lasting influence on child cognitive development and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Moreover, these observed alterations appear to be largely irreversible after birth. It is, therefore, important to gain a better understanding of the role of maternal thyroid dysfunction on offspring neurodevelopment in terms of the nature, magnitude, time-specificity, and context-specificity of its effects. With respect to the issue of context specificity, it is possible that maternal stress and stress-related biological processes during pregnancy may modulate maternal thyroid function. The possibility of an interaction between the thyroid and stress systems in the context of fetal brain development has, however, not been addressed to date. We begin this review with a brief overview of TH biology during pregnancy and a summary of the literature on its effect on the developing brain. Next, we consider and discuss whether and how processes related to maternal stress and stress biology may interact with and modify the effects of maternal thyroid function on offspring brain development. We synthesize several research areas and identify important knowledge gaps that may warrant further study. The scientific and public health relevance of this review relates to achieving a better understanding of the timing, mechanisms and contexts of thyroid programing of brain development, with implications for early identification of risk, primary prevention and intervention.