Perinatal stress and brain development

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The effect of maternal perinatal stress on fetal and neonatal brain development

• IRAS ID

  240686

• Contact name

  Michael Craig

• Contact email

  michael.c.craig@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 6 months, 20 days

• Research summary

  The "Perinatal stress and brain development" study aims to analyze the relationship between maternal perinatal depression/anxiety and brain networks in the (a) fetal and (b) neonatal brain using a variety of imaging techniques.

  This project will enable us to better fractionate the specific role of antenatal mood on early brain development, helping to determine when to direct specific treatments. The study will also focus on the effect that the use of SSRI and antianxiety medication during pregnancy has on foetal and neonatal brain development.
  As this is a sub-study of the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP, REC 14/LO/1169), all data collection sessions will adhere to ethically approved dHCP protocol (Version 7.0) and will be conducted by dHCP staff.

  This study aims to:
  (a) Analyze foetal, neonatal and 18-month follow up data already collected as part of the dHCP
  (b) Extend dHCP recruitment to include a number of pregnant mothers (n=50) who are at high risk of experiencing perinatal depression as determined by an EPDS score of 13 or more.
  (c) Include additional measures of anxiety, stress and significant life events

  This study will form a sub-cohort of the dHCP. In short, the Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP, REC 14/LO/1169) aims to create a 4- dimensional map (3 spatial dimensions and time) of the development of cerebral connectivity at the millimetre scale. It is using Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging methods, principally diffusion MR imaging to observe structural connections and Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) MR imaging to detect functional connections. MR imaging of pregnant women will provide data on the fetal brain in utero between 20 and 42 weeks gestational age, and images acquired from preterm and term newborn infants between 23 and 44 weeks gestational age.

  Study participants will complete the approved dHCP protocol and additionally will be asked to complete several short questionnaires.

• REC name

  London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/LO/0786

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Jul 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion