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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

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Maternal programming of defensive responses through sustained effects on gene expression.

Josie Diorio¹, Michael J Meaney

¹McGill Program for the Study of Behaviour, Genes and Environment, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Que.

Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN

|July 27, 2007

Summary

Maternal behavior profoundly influences offspring defensive responses to stress. Early life adversity, mediated by maternal care, programs offspring for heightened stress sensitivity, which can be adaptive but increases later-life pathology risk.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral neuroscience
Developmental psychology
Epigenetics

Background:

Maternal effects significantly shape individual differences in defensive behaviors across diverse species.
Maternal behavior is a key mediator of stress responses in offspring.

Purpose of the Study:

To review evidence from rat models on maternal effects on defensive responses to stress.
To explore the role of maternal behavior in programming offspring stress sensitivity through gene expression.

Main Methods:

Review of existing data from rat studies on maternal behavior and offspring stress responses.
Analysis of the link between maternal behavior, gene expression, and offspring defensive strategies.

Main Results:

Maternal effects on defensive responses are mediated by variations in maternal behavior impacting offspring gene expression.
Environmental adversity during development, influenced by maternal care, enhances offspring defensive capacities.
This maternal programming "programs" emotional, cognitive, and endocrine systems for increased stress sensitivity.

Conclusions:

Maternal effects can adaptively enhance immediate survival responses under adversity.
This enhanced stress sensitivity, while adaptive in the short term, increases the risk of later-life psychopathology.
Understanding maternal programming is crucial for comprehending stress-related disorders.