Understanding Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors in Autistic Toddlers

Corticosterone-induced postpartum depression induces depression-like behavior and impairs hippocampal neurogenesis in adolescent offspring via HPA axis and BDNF-mTOR pathway

Postpartum depression (PPD) adversely affects the growth and development of the offspring, increasing the risk of various internalizing behaviorsduring adolescence. Studies have shown that corticosterone (CORT)-induced PPD affects neurogenesis in the offspring, which is closely related to the onset of depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of these changes in the offspring of PPD mothers remain unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated postpartum mice treated with high CORT experienced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which induced depressive-like behavior and impaired maternal caring behavior. Furthermore, adolescent offspring of PPD mice exhibited depression-like behavior, and learning and memory deficits. These offspring also showed diminished levels of DCX+, decreased levels of synaptic proteins, and reduced dendritic spine density and length in hippocampus. Additionally, we detected increased serum stressed hormones and decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein level in the offspring. We also found the offspring exhibited reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the phosphorylation tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins in hippocampus. These results indicated that the behavioral deficits and neuronal damage observed in the offspring of PPD mice may be related to HPA axis dysfunction and inhibition of the BDNF-mTOR pathway. In conclusion, our findings confirm that CORT induces depression-like behavior and impairs maternal caring behavior in maternal mice, which in turn affects their offspring's emotion and cognitive behavior. This impact is characterized by the activation of the HPA axis and inhibition of the BDNF-mTOR pathway.

Sex-specific association between maternal mild anemia and children's behavioral development: a birth cohort study

There has been limited research on maternal anemia affecting children's behavioral development, with a lack of studies focusing on sex differences in this association. Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, 2132 mother-child pairs were included. Maternal anemia was evaluated based on the hemoglobin concentration and children's behavioral development was assessed by Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5. Binary logistic regression models indicated that compared with children born of mothers without anemia throughout pregnancy, maternal mild anemia during pregnancy or only anemia in the 3rd trimester was associated with increased risks of aggressive behaviors in boys. Maternal mild anemia only in the 2nd trimester was associated with increased risks of attention problems in boys. In girls, maternal mild anemia during pregnancy was associated with increased risks of withdrawn, internalizing problems and total problems. Girls born of mothers with mild anemia only in the 2nd trimester had higher risks of total problems. Maternal mild anemia in both 2nd and 3rd trimesters was associated with increased risks of internalizing problems in girls. Our study identified sex-specific effects of maternal mild anemia during pregnancy on children's behavioral development problems.