Intensity matters : effects of prenatal stress on the developing brain / Richelle Mychasiuk
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Date
2010
Authors
Mychasiuk, Richelle
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscience, c2010
Abstract
This thesis examines the behavioral, structural, cellular, and epigenetic changes observed in
offspring exposed to different prenatal stressors. A number of questions were answered in
this thesis that contribute to a basic understanding of the mechanisms by which early
experiences alter long-term outcomes. These include: 1) What epigenetic modifications are
associated with prenatal stress? 2) What are the structural and cellular changes in the brains
of offspring that correspond to prenatal stress exposure? 3) How do these epigenetic and
structural changes manifest as behavioral changes? And 4) What are the consequences of
varying the level of prenatal stress?The key findings were that not all prenatal stress is the same. Variations to the intensity and
nature of the stress dramatically alter offspring outcomes. Second, prenatal stress produces
changes at many levels and these changes can be functionally related. Expression changes
were identified in genes involved in altering dendritic morphology, which in turn modifies
behaviour. For the first time, a comprehensive examination of brain plasticity occurred
following prenatal stress. Additionally, this thesis demonstrated that brain changes related to
prenatal stress are age-dependent and sex-dependent. The effects of prenatal stress on the
pre-weaning brain are dramatically different than those observed in adulthood. Also, the sex
of the offspring significantly influences neuroanatomical and epigenetic modifications. This
finding is of critical importance because a majority of prenatal stress research is conducted
on male offspring only. Taken together these discoveries emphasize that perturbations to
development during the prenatal period produce persistent changes in the structure and
functioning of the brain that will influence all subsequent experiences
Description
xx, 201 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
Brain -- Effect of stress on , Prenatal influences , Stress (Physiology) , Rats (Behavior) , Dissertations, Academic