The role of maternal obesity in the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Heidi M Rivera,Kelly J Christiansen,Elinor L Sullivan

doi:10.3389/fnins.2015.00194

Heidi M Rivera, Kelly J Christiansen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00194

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Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that perinatal exposure to maternal obesity, metabolic disease, including diabetes and hypertension, and unhealthy maternal diet has a long-term impact on offspring behavior and physiology. During the past three decades, the prevalence of both obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders has rapidly increased. Epidemiologic studies provide evidence that maternal obesity and metabolic complications increase the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders (food addiction, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa), and impairments in cognition in offspring. Animal models of maternal high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity also document persistent changes in offspring behavior and impairments in critical neural circuitry. Animals exposed to maternal obesity and HFD consumption display hyperactivity, impairments in social behavior, increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, substance addiction, food addiction, and diminished cognition. During development, these offspring are exposed to elevated levels of nutrients (fatty acids, glucose), hormones (leptin, insulin), and inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein, interleukin, and tumor necrosis factor). Such factors appear to permanently change neuroendocrine regulation and brain development in offspring. In addition, inflammation of the offspring brain during gestation impairs the development of neural pathways critical in the regulation of behavior, such as serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and melanocortinergic systems. Dysregulation of these circuits increases the risk of mental health disorders. Given the high rates of obesity in most developed nations, it is critical that the mechanisms by which maternal obesity programs offspring behavior are thoroughly characterized. Such knowledge will be critical in the development of preventative strategies and therapeutic interventions.

Highlights

A third of women in the United States are obese (Ogden et al, 2012)
We focus on the role of maternal obesity, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), maternal metabolic disorders, and an unhealthy maternal diet on the development of mental health disorders in offspring, with a special emphasis on neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (Table 1)
Epidemiological research demonstrates a link between maternal obesity and the development of mental health disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and cognition

Summary

Introduction

A third of women in the United States are obese (Ogden et al, 2012). Obesity leads to negative health consequences for the woman, and for her child. Animal models of maternal obesity, produced via high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, showed increased risk of behaviors associated with mental health disorders in offspring. We focus on the role of maternal obesity, excessive GWG, maternal metabolic disorders, and an unhealthy maternal diet on the development of mental health disorders in offspring, with a special emphasis on neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders (Table 1). These disorders include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, substance addiction, eating disorders (such as food addiction, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa), and cognitive impairments.

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