Several studies have shown that stress during pregnancy leads to socio-emotional and learning difficulties. The most likely mechanism involved in the adverse effects of chronic stress on offspring is persistent excess circulating maternal cortisol. Although normal pre- and postnatal cortisol levels contribute to proper brain and behavioural development, the effects of abnormally elevated prenatal cortisol on neurodevelopment are not well understood. Alternating restraint in pregnant rats simulates this condition quite well, as it produces an increase in cortisol (corticosterone) similar to that observed in pregnant human mothers under conditions of chronic stress. In the present study, we therefore investigated whether prenatal stress induced by physical restraint in pregnant rats (1) produces long-term changes in the neural development of the cerebral cortex, and (2) whether these changes are associated with learning deficits (spatial memory) at three equivalent postnatal stages: infancy, adolescence and adulthood. The results showed that animals exposed to chronic prenatal stress had reduced neuronal development in the cerebral cortex, which was associated with spatial memory deficits compared to controls. Furthermore, the most significant effects were observed in adolescence and adulthood. We believe that this study may be useful in an educational context, as it adds to the already extensive literature on the effects of adverse postnatal experiences on the academic development of children and/or adolescents. In addition, it allows greater attention to be paid to maternal-fetal health as a potential variable in the context of poor educational performance in the child.

Authors:
Rodrigo Pascual, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Martina Valencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Rodrigo Pascual is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile

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