Stress during pregnancy affects baby's brain before birth: Study

Israeli researchers have discovered that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy affects the foetuss brainThe discovery led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem HU could pave the way for new treatments or interventions to support a babys healthy development after birth Xinhua news agency reportedPublished in the journal Molecular Psychiatry the study revealed that maternal stress during pregnancy could reprogramme key molecular pathways in the foetus particularly the cholinergic system a network of nerve cells responsible for regulating stress responses and inflammationThe researchers analysed blood samples from 120 newborns and their mothers collected at birth focusing on small RNA molecules known as tRNA fragments tRFs many of which originate from mitochondrial DNAThese molecules play a critical role in regulating cellular functions and responses to stressldquoWe found that even before babies take their first breath the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselvesrdquo said Prof Hermona Soreq from the Hebrew University of JerusalemThe study also uncovered major differences between male and female infants Baby girls showed a sharp decrease in specific tRFs called CholinotRFs which are involved in the production of acetylcholine a brain chemical crucial for memory and immune functionWhile baby boys showed elevated levels of an enzyme AChE that breaks down acetylcholine suggesting a diminished capacity to manage stressUsing machine learning the researchers determined with 95 per cent accuracy whether baby girls had been exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy based on their RNA profilesThis discovery may help explain why children exposed to stress in the womb are more likely to face mental health or developmental challenges later in lifeThe researchers said the findings could raise awareness and lead to better support for pregnant women under stress even if they dont have a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depressionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoeveratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params