Altered hair endocannabinoid levels in mothers with childhood maltreatment and their newborns

Abstract

The endocannabinoid (EC) system possesses anti-inflammatory properties and seems to be altered in trauma-exposed individuals. In an intergenerational approach, this study investigated the link between childhood maltreatment (CM) experiences and alterations in the EC system. Hair samples of N = 142 mothers and N = 91 newborns were analyzed, retrospectively assessing EC regulation during the last trimester of pregnancy with four ECs: 1-arachidonoylglycerol (1-AG), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA), N-stearoylethanolamide (SEA), and N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Compared to mothers without CM, hair of mothers with CM showed significantly higher levels of 1-AG and lower levels of SEA. Newborns of mothers with CM exhibited higher levels of 1-AG and OEA. Furthermore, the higher the severity of maternal CM, the lower were maternal SEA levels and the higher neonatal OEA levels. Findings indicate altered EC levels during the last trimester of pregnancy in mothers with CM and their developing fetus, highlighting potential intergenerational effects from one generation to the other.