Placenta

Publication Title: 
South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde

Of all the theories purporting to uncover the roots of childhood behaviour and its extension into adult behaviour, the most cogent relates to the physical and psychological bonds of attachment between infant and mother. It is helpful to divide the human lifespan into three periods, each of which has alternating phases of attachment and detachment.

Author(s): 
Levin, S.
Publication Title: 
Journal of Reproductive Immunology

The transfer and persistence of fetal progenitor cells into the mother throughout pregnancy has sparked considerable interest as a trafficking stem cell and immunological phenomenon. Indeed, the intriguing longevity of semi-allogeneic fetal microchimeric cells (FMC) in parous women raises questions over their potential clinical implications. FMC have been associated with both immune-modulatory roles and participation in maternal tissue repair.

Author(s): 
Seppanen, E.
Fisk, N. M.
Khosrotehrani, K.
Publication Title: 
Regulatory Peptides

Behavioral perinatology is as an interdisciplinary area of research that involves conceptualization of theoretical models and conduct of empirical studies of the dynamic time-, place-, and context-dependent interplay between biological and behavioral processes in fetal, neonatal, and infant life using an epigenetic framework of development. The biobehavioral processes of particular interest to our research group relate to the effects of maternal pre- and perinatal stress and maternal-placental-fetal stress physiology.

Author(s): 
Wadhwa, Pathik D.
Glynn, Laura
Hobel, Calvin J.
Garite, Thomas J.
Porto, Manuel
Chicz-DeMet, Aleksandra
Wiglesworth, Aileen K.
Sandman, Curt A.
Publication Title: 
Nature Clinical Practice. Endocrinology & Metabolism

Epidemiological evidence suggests that an adverse prenatal environment permanently 'programs' physiology and increases the risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroendocrine and psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Prenatal stress or exposure to excess glucocorticoids might provide the link between fetal maturation and adult pathophysiology.

Author(s): 
Seckl, Jonathan R.
Holmes, Megan C.
Publication Title: 
Neuroscience

Two major environmental developments have occurred in mammalian evolution which have impacted on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of brain development. The first of these was viviparity and development of the placenta which placed a considerable burden of time and energy investment on the matriline, and which resulted in essential hypothalamic modifications.

Author(s): 
Keverne, E. B.
Publication Title: 
Psychoneuroendocrinology

BACKGROUND: Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) is associated with early and long-term neurobehavioral deficits; however mechanisms remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that MSDP programs the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis of the offspring leading to adverse outcomes. In an intensive, prospective study, we investigated associations between MSDP and infant cortisol stress response and explored whether alterations in cortisol response were mediated by epigenetic modulation of the placental glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1).

Author(s): 
Stroud, Laura R.
Papandonatos, George D.
Rodriguez, Daniel
McCallum, Meaghan
Salisbury, Amy L.
Phipps, Maureen G.
Lester, Barry
Huestis, Marilyn A.
Niaura, Raymond
Padbury, James F.
Marsit, Carmen J.
Publication Title: 
Psychoneuroendocrinology

During gestation, development proceeds at a pace that is unmatched by any other stage of the life cycle. For these reasons the human fetus is particularly susceptible not only to organizing influences, but also to pathogenic disorganizing influences. Growing evidence suggests that exposure to prenatal adversity leads to neurological changes that underlie lifetime risks for mental illness. Beginning early in gestation, males and females show differential developmental trajectories and responses to stress.

Author(s): 
Davis, Elysia Poggi
Pfaff, Donald
Publication Title: 
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

The serotonin receptor 5-HT2A (encoded by HTR2A) is an important regulator of fetal brain development and adult cognitive function. Environmental signals that induce epigenetic changes of serotonin response genes, including HTR2A, have been implicated in adverse mental health outcomes. The objective of this perspective article is to address the medical implications of HTR2A epigenetic regulation, which has been associated with both infant neurobehavioral outcomes and adult mental health.

Author(s): 
Paquette, Alison G.
Marsit, Carmen J.
Publication Title: 
Psychoneuroendocrinology

Infant neurobehavior, a potential sentinel of future mental and behavioral morbidity characterized in part by reflex symmetry, excitability and habituation to stimuli, is influenced by aspects of the intrauterine environment partially through epigenetic alterations of genes involved in the stress response.

Author(s): 
Appleton, Allison A.
Lester, Barry M.
Armstrong, David A.
Lesseur, Corina
Marsit, Carmen J.
Publication Title: 
Epigenomics

Preterm birth is associated with medical problems affecting the neuroendocrine system, altering cortisol levels resulting in negative effects on newborn neurobehavior. Newborn neurobehavior is regulated by DNA methylation of NR3C1 and HSD11B2. AIM: Determine if methylation of HSD11B2 and NR3C1 is associated with neurobehavioral profiles in preterm infants. PATIENTS & METHODS: Neurobehavior was measured before discharge from the hospital in 67 preterm infants. Cheek swabs were collected for DNA extraction.

Author(s): 
Lester, Barry M.
Marsit, Carmen J.
Giarraputo, James
Hawes, Katheleen
LaGasse, Linda L.
Padbury, James F.

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