Prenatal stress and elevated seizure susceptibility: Molecular inheritable changes

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior Vol. 96; pp. 122 - 131
• Main Authors: Saboory, Ehsan, Mohammadi, Sedra, Dindarian, Sina, Mohammadi, Hozan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Early-life stages; Epilepsy; Long-lasting outcomes; Prenatal stress; Seizure; Early-life stages; Long-lasting outcomes; Seizure; Epilepsy; Prenatal stress
• ISSN: 1525-5050; 1525-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.04.046

Stressful episodes are common during early-life and may have a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental status of the offspring. In addition to various neurobehavioral complications induced by prenatal stress (PS), seizure is a common complication with no fully explained cause. In this study, the association between PS and seizure susceptibility was reviewed focusing on sex differences and various underlying mechanisms. The role of drugs in the initiation of seizure and the effects of PS on the nervous system that prone the brain for seizure, especially the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, are also discussed in detail by reviewing the papers studying the effect of PS on glutamatergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and adrenergic systems in the context of seizure and epilepsy. Finally, epigenetic changes in epilepsy are described, and the underlying mechanisms of this change are expanded. As the effects of PS may be life-lasting, it is possible to prevent future psychiatric and behavioral disorders including epilepsy by preventing avoidable PS risk factors.
•Epigenetic modifications play a pivotal role in early-life stress-induced seizure susceptibility.•Alterations in receptors such as NMDA and GABAA can be the mechanism of PS-induced potentiation of seizure.•Prenatal stress-induced variations may have long-lasting and inheritable molecular and cellular alterations in the offspring.•Appropriate management of pregnant women seems to be vital in promoting the health of future generations.