Gestational overgrowth and undergrowth affect neurodevelopment: similarities and differences from behavior to...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Infant birth size is a recognized biomarker for future morbidity.
• Both small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) infants face increased risks of metabolic and mental disorders.
• Understanding the shared neurobiological mechanisms underlying these risks is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare neurobiological outcomes in SGA and LGA offspring.
• To investigate similarities and differences in behavior and neurobiology between SGA and LGA.
• To explore the role of epigenetic alterations in SGA and LGA-related neurodevelopmental issues.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent human and animal model findings on SGA and LGA neurobiology.
• Presentation of new data from mouse models of SGA and LGA.
• Analysis of behavioral and neurobiological outcomes.

Main Results:

• Both SGA and LGA are associated with altered neurobiological development and adult gene expression.
• Aberrant epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, are implicated in the brains of SGA and LGA offspring.
• Disruptions in the cell cycle during development and gene expression in adulthood were observed.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic dysregulation, specifically DNA methylation changes, is a key mechanism linking birth size extremes to neurobiological alterations.
• These epigenetic changes impact critical processes like cell cycle regulation and gene expression.
• Further research into these mechanisms can inform strategies for mitigating long-term health risks associated with SGA and LGA.