The maternal brain: an organ with peripartal plasticity.

Katharina Maria Hillerer,Volker Rudolf Jacobs,Ludwig Aigner,Thorsten Fischer

doi:10.1155/2014/574159

Katharina Maria Hillerer, Volker Rudolf Jacobs + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/574159

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Abstract

The time of pregnancy, birth, and lactation, is characterized by numerous specific alterations in several systems of the maternal body. Peripartum-associated changes in physiology and behavior, as well as their underlying molecular mechanisms, have been the focus of research since decades, but are still far from being entirely understood. Also, there is growing evidence that pregnancy and lactation are associated with a variety of alterations in neural plasticity, including adult neurogenesis, functional and structural synaptic plasticity, and dendritic remodeling in different brain regions. All of the mentioned changes are not only believed to be a prerequisite for the proper fetal and neonatal development, but moreover to be crucial for the physiological and mental health of the mother. The underlying mechanisms apparently need to be under tight control, since in cases of dysregulation, a certain percentage of women develop disorders like preeclampsia or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders during the course of pregnancy and lactation. This review describes common peripartum adaptations in physiology and behavior. Moreover, it concentrates on different forms of peripartum-associated plasticity including changes in neurogenesis and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, consequences of malfunction in those systems are discussed.

Highlights

In all mammalian species the peripartum period is one of the most plastic periods throughout a female’s life
The observed peripartum changes in brain size seem to be interspecific, as we recently showed that absolute and relative brain weight are reduced on lactation day (LD) 14 in rats, reflecting the results in humans
As outlined throughout the review there have been numerous studies nicely revealing that changes in the OXT and PRL system, altered levels of angiogenic factors like placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as immunological parameters tremendously contribute to adaptations of the maternal physiology, the function of “maternal” brain regions, and the resultant behavioral repertoire

Summary

Introduction

In all mammalian species the peripartum period is one of the most plastic periods throughout a female’s life. Numerous changes on the physiological, cellular, and molecular level occur, which distinguish a lactating mother from a nulliparous female and which prepare the female for the challenges of motherhood. Those dramatic changes in maternal physiology, plasticity of the maternal brain, and maternal behavior will help to ensure the survival of the offspring, and act in concert for physiological and mental health of the mother [1,2,3,4]. The following review will describe the common adaptations that occur on the physiological, molecular, and behavioral level during the sensitive period around and after pregnancy and describe regulatory mechanism and potential causes for peripartumassociated disorders

Physiological and Molecular Adaptations during the Peripartum Period

Behavioral Adaptations during the Peripartum Period

Findings

Conclusions