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Prenatal stress and inhibitory neuron systems: implications for neuropsychiatric disorders

Molecular Psychiatry volume 19, pages 641–651 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Prenatal stress is a risk factor for several psychiatric disorders in which inhibitory neuron pathology is implicated. A growing body of research demonstrates that inhibitory circuitry in the brain is directly and persistently affected by prenatal stress. This review synthesizes research that explores how this early developmental risk factor impacts inhibitory neurons and how these findings intersect with research on risk factors and inhibitory neuron pathophysiology in schizophrenia, anxiety, autism and Tourette syndrome. The specific impact of prenatal stress on inhibitory neurons, particularly developmental mechanisms, may elucidate further the pathophysiology of these disorders.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Abigail Sawyer and Stephanie Lussier for technical assistance and members of the Stevens lab for helpful discussion. This work was supported by National Institutes Health Grants K08 MH086812 (HES), Brain and Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Award from the Mortimer D Sackler Psychobiology Program (HES) and an American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education/Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Fellowship (HES).

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  1. Child Study Center, Yale University,, New Haven, CT, USA

    R Fine & H E Stevens

  2. Mental Health Center, Shantou University,, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China

    J Zhang

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Correspondence to H E Stevens.

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Fine, R., Zhang, J. & Stevens, H. Prenatal stress and inhibitory neuron systems: implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 19, 641–651 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2014.35

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