Kristin M Voegtline1,2, Supriya Dhaurali3, Julia Wainger4, Sylvie Lauzon5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 200 N. Wolfe Street, Room 2076, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. kvoegtl1@jhu.edu. 2. Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. kvoegtl1@jhu.edu. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 200 N. Wolfe Street, Room 2076, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. 4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. 5. Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review ontogeny of the maternal-offspring neuroendocrine relationship in human pregnancy. We present bidirectional genetic, physiological, and behavioral influences that enhance or disrupt HPA activity and its end product cortisol at the individual level and within the dyad. RECENT FINDINGS: Consistent evidence supports that maternal mood and caregiving behavior are associated with maternal and offspring cortisol levels. Select studies support the buffering effects of antidepressant use and maternal positive affect on offspring cortisol. Growing research highlights evocative effects of fetal neuroendocrine activity, antenatal gene transfer, and infant behavioral distress and risk characteristics on maternal cortisol levels and dyadic attunement. There is potential to advance our understanding of the mother-offspring neuroendocrine relationship by consideration of other neuroactive steroids in addition to cortisol, and to consider developmental timing and measurement source in study design. Future study should emphasize in what context or for whom neuroendocrine attunement is adaptive versus maladaptive for mother and child.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review ontogeny of the maternal-offspring neuroendocrine relationship in human pregnancy. We present bidirectional genetic, physiological, and behavioral influences that enhance or disrupt HPA activity and its end product cortisol at the individual level and within the dyad. RECENT FINDINGS: Consistent evidence supports that maternal mood and caregiving behavior are associated with maternal and offspring cortisol levels. Select studies support the buffering effects of antidepressant use and maternal positive affect on offspring cortisol. Growing research highlights evocative effects of fetal neuroendocrine activity, antenatal gene transfer, and infant behavioral distress and risk characteristics on maternal cortisol levels and dyadic attunement. There is potential to advance our understanding of the mother-offspring neuroendocrine relationship by consideration of other neuroactive steroids in addition to cortisol, and to consider developmental timing and measurement source in study design. Future study should emphasize in what context or for whom neuroendocrine attunement is adaptive versus maladaptive for mother and child.
Authors: Katie T Kivlighan; Janet A DiPietro; Kathleen A Costigan; Mark L Laudenslager Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2008-08-08 Impact factor: 4.905