Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

Elseline Hoekzema (), Henk Steenbergen, Milou Straathof, Arlette Beekmans, Inga Marie Freund, Petra J. W. Pouwels and Eveline A. Crone
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Elseline Hoekzema: Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development
Henk Steenbergen: Leiden University
Milou Straathof: Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development
Arlette Beekmans: Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development
Inga Marie Freund: Leiden University
Petra J. W. Pouwels: Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience
Eveline A. Crone: Leiden University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract While animal studies have demonstrated a unique reproduction-related neuroplasticity, little is known on the effects of pregnancy on the human brain. Here we investigated whether pregnancy is associated with changes to resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture using a comprehensive pre-conception cohort study. We show that pregnancy leads to selective and robust changes in neural architecture and neural network organization, which are most pronounced in the Default Mode Network. These neural changes correlated with pregnancy hormones, primarily third-trimester estradiol, while no associations were found with other factors such as osmotic effects, stress and sleep. Furthermore, the changes related to measures of maternal-fetal bonding, nesting behavior and the physiological responsiveness to infant cues, and predicted measures of mother-infant bonding and bonding impairments. These findings suggest there are selective pregnancy-related modifications in brain structure and function that may facilitate peripartum maternal processes of key relevance to the mother-infant dyad.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33884-8

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