Prenatal Stress, Maternal Immune Dysregulation, and Their Association With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Purpose of Review While genetic factors are a major etiological contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), evidence also supports a role for environmental factors. Herein, we will discuss two such factors that have been associated with a significant proportion of ASD risk: prenatal stress exposu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Current psychiatry reports 2018-09, Vol.20 (9), p.76-76, Article 76
Main Authors:	Beversdorf, David Q., Stevens, Hanna E., Jones, Karen L.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animals Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder - etiology Autism Spectrum Disorder - immunology Female Fetal Proteins - immunology Humans Medicine Medicine & Public Health Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications - immunology Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - etiology Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - immunology Prevalence Psychiatry Section Editors Sex and Gender Issues in Behavioral Health (CN Epperson and L Hantsoo Sex Characteristics Stress, Psychological - immunology Topical Collection on Sex and Gender Issues in Behavioral Health
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Summary:	Purpose of Review While genetic factors are a major etiological contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), evidence also supports a role for environmental factors. Herein, we will discuss two such factors that have been associated with a significant proportion of ASD risk: prenatal stress exposure and maternal immune dysregulation, and how sex and gender relate to these factors. Recent Findings Recent evidence suggests that maternal stress susceptibility interacts with prenatal stress exposure to affect offspring neurodevelopment. Additionally, understanding of the impact of maternal immune dysfunction on ASD has recently been advanced by recognition of specific fetal brain proteins targeted by maternal autoantibodies, and identification of unique mid-gestational maternal immune profiles. Animal models have been developed to explore pathophysiology targeting both of these factors, with limited sex-specific effects observed. Summary While prenatal stress and maternal immune dysregulation are associated with ASD, most cases of these prenatal exposures do not result in ASD, suggesting interaction with multiple other risks. We are beginning to understand the behavioral, pharmacopathological, and epigenetic effects related to these interactions, as well as potential mitigating factors. Sex differences of these risks have been understudied but are crucial for understanding the higher prevalence of ASD in boys. Continued growth in understanding of these mechanisms may ultimately allow for the identification of multiple potential points for prevention or intervention, and for a personalized medicine approach for this subset of environmental-associated ASD cases.
ISSN:	1523-3812 1535-1645