Child Study Center Grand Rounds: "Prenatal Programming of Brain Development: The Role of Maternal Stress and Stress Biology"

An overview will be provided how, via variation in stress-sensitive maternal-placental-fetal stress biology, the fetus receives cues about maternal current and preconceptional stress and how this may affect fetal brain development. Despite the high degree of postnatal neuroplasticity that allows the infant brain to adapt its development to the extrauterine environment, evidence will be provided in support of variation in neonatal brain phenotypes being important predictors of later neurocognitive function and risk for mental health problems. Thus, identifying and supporting vulnerable women in the preconceptional period and during pregnancy may not only serve the mothers-to-be but also support offspring optimal brain development and mental health.