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Maternal psychological distress associates with alterations in resting-state low-frequency fluctuations and distal functional connectivity of the neonate medial prefrontal cortex
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  • Olli Rajasilta,
  • Suvi Häkkinen,
  • Malin Björnsdotter,
  • Noora Scheinin,
  • Satu Lehtola,
  • Jani Saunavaara,
  • Riitta Parkkola,
  • Tuire Lähdesmäki,
  • Linnea Karlsson,
  • Hasse Karlsson,
  • Jetro Tuulari
Olli Rajasilta
University of Turku

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Suvi Häkkinen
University of Turku
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Malin Björnsdotter
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
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Noora Scheinin
University of Turku
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Satu Lehtola
University of Turku
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Jani Saunavaara
University of Turku
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Riitta Parkkola
Turku University Hospital
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Tuire Lähdesmäki
Turun yliopisto Kliininen laitos
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Linnea Karlsson
University of Turku
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Hasse Karlsson
University of Turku
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Jetro Tuulari
University of Turku
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Abstract

Prenatal stress exposure (PSE) has been observed to exert a programming effect on the developing infant brain, possibly with long-lasting consequences on temperament, cognitive functions and the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. Several prior studies have revealed that PSE associates with alterations in neonate functional connectivity in the prefrontal regions and amygdala. In this study, we explored whether maternal psychological symptoms measured during the 24th gestational week had associations with neonate resting-state network metrics. 21 neonates (9 female) underwent resting-state fMRI scanning (mean gestation-corrected age at scan 26.95 days) to assess fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). The ReHO/fALFF maps were used in multiple regression analysis to investigate whether maternal self-reported anxiety and/or depressive symptoms associate with neonate functional brain features. Maternal psychological distress (composite score of depressive and anxiety symptoms) was positively associated with fALFF in the neonate medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed separately, exhibited similar but weaker associations. Post hoc seed-based connectivity analyses further showed that distal connectivity of mPFC covaried with PSE. No associations were found between neonate ReHo and PSE. These results offer preliminary evidence that PSE may affect functional features of the developing brain during gestation.
23 Oct 2022Submitted to European Journal of Neuroscience
27 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
27 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
27 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Oct 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Nov 2022Editorial Decision: Accept