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Published on: October 25, 2016
Sex differences in the vulnerability of the hippocampus to prenatal stress
Monavareh Soti1, Hoda Ranjbar1, Kristi A Kohlmeier2
1Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Insights
Prenatal stress (PS) impacts offspring cognition, with effects varying by sex. This review explores how PS affects the hippocampus, a key brain region for memory, highlighting sex-specific changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Prenatal stress (PS) can lead to cognitive deficits in offspring.
- These effects may involve changes in brain regions controlling cognition.
- Evidence suggests sex-specific differences in PS-induced alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review animal studies on the sex-specific effects of physical PS on hippocampal function and structure.
- To explore the role of the hippocampus in PS-associated learning and memory deficits.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms behind sex-based risks in PS populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of animal studies.
- Focus on physical prenatal stress models.
- Examination of hippocampal structure and function.
Main Results:
- Prenatal stress can alter hippocampal function and structure.
- These alterations show sex-specific patterns.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus are implicated.
Conclusions:
- Hippocampal impairments are likely mediators of PS-associated cognitive deficits.
- Understanding sex-specific effects is crucial for uncovering molecular mechanisms.
- This knowledge may improve management of cognitive disturbances in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Distressing events during pregnancy that engage activity of the body's endocrine stress response have been linked with later life cognitive deficits in offspring and associated with developmental changes in cognitive-controlling neural regions. Interestingly, prenatal stress (PS)-induced alterations have shown some sex specificity. Here, we review the literature of animal studies examining sex-specific effect of physical PS on the function and structure of the hippocampus as hippocampal impairments likely underlie PS-associated deficits in learning and memory. Furthermore, the connectivity between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hippocampus as well as the heavy presence of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus suggests this structure plays an important role in modulation of activity within stress circuitry in a sex-specific pattern. We hope that better understanding of sex-specific, PS-related hippocampal impairment will assist in uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind sex-based risk factors in PS populations across development, and perhaps contribute to greater precision in management of cognitive disturbances in this vulnerable population.
