Event:

The origins of alterations in brain anatomy and connectivity, that may underlie cognitive impairment and mental illness, can be traced back to the fetal period of life when the developing embryo/fetus responds to suboptimal conditions during critical periods of brain development (“Fetal Programming”). Data from two prospective longitudinal studies of pregnant mothers and their children will be presented that provide evidence for maternal gestational stress and obesity to be associated with alterations in their offsprings’ brain anatomy and connectivity, which may underlie the higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and mental health problems in these children. Evidence is provided in support of alterations in maternal cortisol and interleukin-6 concentrations being likely biological mediators that provide cues about these maternal conditions to the fetus with the potential of altering the developmental trajectory of its brain. Advances in theory and methodology now afford an unprecedented opportunity to gain new and valuable insights into the developmental origins of human brain disorders and to develop targeted interventions to prevent these.