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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Prenatal Stress in Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia: Impairments in the Fetal Nervous System Development and Placental

Alexander V Arutjunyan1,2, Gleb O Kerkeshko2, Yuliya P Milyutina3

  • 1Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O.Ott, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia. alexarutiunjan@gmail.com.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|July 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) during pregnancy causes prenatal stress, impairing fetal nervous system development. This can lead to cognitive deficits and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is linked to prenatal stress and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Elevated homocysteine levels during pregnancy can impact fetal brain maturation and neurotransmitter systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of maternal HHcy on fetal and neonatal nervous system development.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying HHcy neurotoxicity.
  • To examine the role of placental function in HHcy-induced neurodevelopmental impairments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental and clinical studies on maternal HHcy and offspring neurodevelopment.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways including oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA methylation, and neuroinflammation.
  • Investigation of placental transport functions and nutrient supply.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal HHcy (PHHcy) affects brain morphology and neurotransmitter activity.
  • PHHcy is associated with cognitive deficits and a predisposition to neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Molecular mechanisms involve oxidative stress, apoptosis, altered gene expression, and neuroinflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal HHcy poses a significant risk to fetal nervous system development.
  • Disturbances in placental function may contribute to PHHcy-induced brain impairments.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for preventing long-term neurodevelopmental consequences.

Keywords:
angiogenesisbrainearly ontogenesisfetusmaternal hyperhomocysteinemianeurogenesisnewbornplacentaprenatal hyperhomocysteinemia

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