Genes, Vol. 12, Pages 1634: Maternal One-carbon Metabolism during the Periconceptional Period and Human Foetal Brain Growth: A Systematic Review

Genes, Vol. 12, Pages 1634: Maternal One-carbon Metabolism during the Periconceptional Period and Human Foetal Brain Growth: A Systematic Review Genes doi: 10.3390/genes12101634 Authors: Eleonora Rubini Inge M. M. Baijens Alex Horánszky Sam Schoenmakers Kevin D. Sinclair Melinda Zana András Dinnyés Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen Melek Rousian The maternal environment during the periconceptional period influences foetal growth and development, in part, via epigenetic mechanisms moderated by one-carbon metabolic pathways. During embryonic development, one-carbon metabolism is involved in brain development and neural programming. Derangements in one-carbon metabolism increase (i) the short-term risk of embryonic neural tube-related defects and (ii) long-term childhood behaviour, cognition, and autism spectrum disorders. Here we investigate the association between maternal one-carbon metabolism and foetal and neonatal brain growth and development. Database searching resulted in 26 articles eligible for inclusion. Maternal vitamin B6, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and choline were not associated with foetal and/or neonatal head growth. First-trimester maternal plasma folate within the normal range (> 17 nmol/L) associated with increased foetal head size and head growth, and high erythrocyte folate (1538–1813 nmol/L) with increased cerebellar growth, whereas folate deficiency (< 7 nmol/L) associated with a reduced foetal brain volu...
Source: Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research