Maternal Obesity as a Risk Factor for Brain Development and Mental Health in the Offspring. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cirulli, Francesca; Musillo, Chiara; Berry, Alessandra
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 447(2020)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: 11β-HSD 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase -- AD Alzheimer's disease -- ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- AHRR aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor -- ASDs autism spectrum disorders -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- BMI body mass index -- CpG 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3′ -- CVD cardiovascular disease -- DOHaD developmental origin of health and disease -- GCs glucocorticoids -- GR glucocorticoid receptors -- GSH glutathione -- HPA hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal -- HFD high fat diet -- KO knock out -- NAC N-Acetyl-Cysteine -- NAc nucleus accumbens -- OS oxidative stress -- PD Parkinson's disease -- PFC prefrontal cortex -- PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells -- PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid -- RCT randomized controlled trial -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- T2D type 2 diabetes -- VTA ventral tegmental area; maternal obesity -- pregnancy -- fetal programming -- mood disorders -- placenta -- oxidative 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.2020.01.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Maternal obesity affects mental health in the offspring. Changes in redox signaling underlie both metabolic and cognitive effects of maternal obesity on the offspring. Dysbiosis and epigenetic changes could underlie the transgenerational transmission of the effects of maternal obesity. Quality of prenatal diet is a potentially modifiable target for reducing the risk of mental disorders in the offspring. Abstract: Maternal obesity plays a key role in the health trajectory of the offspring. Although research on this topic has largely focused on the potential of this condition to increase the risk for child obesity, it is becoming more and more evident that it can also significantly impact cognitive function and mental health. The mechanisms underlying these effects are starting to be elucidated and point to the placenta as a critical organ that may mediate changes in the response to stress, immune function and oxidative stress. Long-term effects of maternal obesity may rely upon epigenetic changes in selected genes that are involved in metabolic and trophic regulations of the brain. More recent evidence also indicates the gut microbiota as a potential mediator of these effects. Overall, understanding cause-effect relationships can allow the development of preventive measures that could rely upon dietary changes in the mother and the offspring. Addressing diets appears more feasible than developing new pharmacological targets and has the potential to affect the multiple interconnected physiological pathways engaged by these complex regulations, allowing prevention of both metabolic and mental disorders.