Exposure to the psychedelic substance 25 H-NBOMe disrupts maternal care in lactating rats and subsequently impairs the social play behavior of the offspring

Given the critical role of maternal care in the neurodevelopment of offspring, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the psychedelic substance 25 H-NBOMe on maternal behavior in lactating rats and its subsequent impact on the social and neurodevelopmental behavior of the offspring. We administered two different dosages of 25 H-NBOMe (0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg; i,p,) to lactating rats and observed changes in maternal behaviors, such as nest-building and pup retrieval, and in offspring behaviors, including social play. Behavioral assessments were complemented by physiological measurements to rule out general health or nutritional decline. 25 H-NBOMe significantly disrupted maternal behaviors, including nest-building and pup retrieval, without affecting the weight of dams or offspring. Offspring of exposed dams exhibited reduced social play behavior. Higher doses led to more pronounced disruptions, while lower doses, despite not visibly affecting maternal behavior, still impacted offspring behavior, suggesting potential direct effects of 25 H-NBOMe. The study highlights the potential risks associated with the use of 25 H-NBOMe during lactation, emphasizing its detrimental impact on maternal care and offspring development. These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological effects of psychedelic substances during critical developmental periods and underscore the importance of avoiding their use.

Maternal Beliefs Surrounding Infant Feeding, but Not Maternal BMI or Hospital Experience, Predict Breastfeeding Exclusivity and Behavior

BACKGROUND

Overweight/Obese (OW/Ob) women are at risk for breastfeeding failure. How maternal BMI affects lactation support received in-hospital, or maternal attitudes and beliefs surrounding infant feeding remains poorly understood. We investigated 1) the impact of in-hospital lactation support and maternal attitudes and behaviors regarding infant feeding on breastfeeding exclusivity, and 2) whether these potentially modifiable attitudes and behaviors differed between normal weights (NW) versus OW/Ob women.

METHODS

NW (n=18) and OW/Ob (n=20) women and their infants were followed from birth to 4-months postpartum. In-hospital experiences, problems and help received regarding breastfeeding were documented. Six maternal attitudes and behaviors surrounding infant feeding were assessed at 2-weeks and 4-months. These factors were compared between NW and OW/OB women, and in relation to breastfeeding exclusivity.

RESULTS

In-hospital experiences, assistance received regarding breastfeeding difficulties, and infant breastfeeding exposure did not differ between NW and OW/Ob women. At 4-months OW/Ob women were more likely to feed their infant on a schedule (p<0.03); this was the only difference in attitudes/behaviors between BMI-groups. Feeding the infant on a schedule was predictive of lower total breastfeeding exposure (p<0.05). Maternal concern about infant under-eating/becoming underweight was associated with several negative feeding behaviors, including reduced breastfeeding exposure (p<0.02), pressuring feeding style (p<0.01), and feeding to calm fussiness (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

This hospital setting provided equitable breastfeeding support to OW/Ob and NW women. Maternal concern over infant under-eating/under-gaining and encouragement to feed on-demand are prime interventional targets to improve breastfeeding outcomes; the latter may be especially relevant to OW/Ob mothers.

Distorted maternal mental representations and atypical behavior in a clinical sample of violence-exposed mothers and their toddlers

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether maternal violence-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reflective functioning (RF), and/or quality of mental representations of her child predict maternal behavior within a referred sample of interpersonal violence-exposed mothers and their children (ages 8-50 months).

METHOD

Forty-one dyads completed two videotaped visits including measures of maternal mental representations and behavior.

RESULTS

Negative and distorted maternal mental representations predicted atypical behavior (Cohen's d>1.0). While maternal PTSD and RF impacted mental representations, no significant relationships were found between PTSD, RF, and overall atypical caregiving behavior. Severity of maternal PTSD was however positively correlated with the avoidant caregiving behavior subscale.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal mental representations of her child are useful risk-indicators that mark dysregulation of trauma-associated emotions in the caregiver.