Current Understanding of the Roles of Gut–Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposure

RUBINSTEIN, MARA ROXANA; BURGUEÑO, ADRIANA LAURA; QUIROGA, SOFIA; WALD, MIRIAM RUTH; GENARO, ANA MARÍA

Cells

MDPI

Lugar: Basilea; Año: 2023 vol. 12

2073-4409

first_pagesettingsOrder Article ReprintsOpen AccessReviewCurrent Understanding of the Roles of Gut–Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposureby Mara Roxana Rubinstein *ORCID,Adriana Laura BurgueñoORCID,Sofia Quiroga,Miriam Ruth Wald andAna María Genaro *ORCIDLaboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina*Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.Cells 2023, 12(13), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12131735Received: 17 April 2023 / Revised: 15 June 2023 / Accepted: 19 June 2023 / Published: 28 June 2023(This article belongs to the Collection How Perinatal Stress Affects Brain Plasticity in Ontogenesis)Download Browse Figures Versions NotesAbstractThe term ‘perinatal environment’ refers to the period surrounding birth, which plays a crucial role in brain development. It has been suggested that dynamic communication between the neuro–immune system and gut microbiota is essential in maintaining adequate brain function. This interaction depends on the mother’s status during pregnancy and/or the newborn environment. Here, we show experimental and clinical evidence that indicates that the perinatal period is a critical window in which stress-induced immune activation and altered microbiota compositions produce lasting behavioral consequences, although a clear causative relationship has not yet been established. In addition, we discuss potential early treatments for preventing the deleterious effect of perinatal stress exposure. In this sense, early environmental enrichment exposure (including exercise) and melatonin use in the perinatal period could be valuable in improving the negative consequences of early adversities. The evidence presented in this review encourages the realization of studies investigating the beneficial role of melatonin administration and environmental enrichment exposure in mitigating cognitive alteration in offspring under perinatal stress exposure. On the other hand, direct evidence of microbiota restoration as the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of this treatment has not been fully demonstrated and should be explored in future studies.