Claudia Buss

The origins of alterations in brain anatomy and connectivity, that may underlie cognitive impairment and mental illness, can often be traced back to the fetal period of life when the developing embryo/fetus responds to suboptimal conditions during critical periods of brain development (“Fetal Programming”). Maternal stress during pregnancy may affect fetal developmental trajectories by altering stress-sensitive endocrine and immune biological mediators, such as cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL- 6). Evidence in humans will be presented in support of elevated maternal cortisol and IL-6 concentrations during pregnancy being associated with offspring brain anatomy and connectivity with implications for cognitive function and mental health.