Prenatal Stress and Risk for Psychopathology: Specific Effects or Induction of General Susceptibility?

• Published in: Psychological bulletin Vol. 130; no. 1; pp. 115 - 141
• Main Authors: Huizink, Anja C, Mulder, Edu J. H, Buitelaar, Jan K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychological Association 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Arousal - physiology; Biochemistry; Feedback; Female; Humans; Hyperactivity; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology; Infant, Newborn; Mental Disorders - physiopathology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prenatal Influences; Psychopathology; Receptors, Neurotransmitter - physiology; Risk; Stress Variables; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology

This review focuses on prenatal stress as a risk factor for psychopathology. Evidence from animal studies is summarized, and the relevance of prenatal stress models in animals for human studies is discussed. In the offspring of prenatally stressed animals, overactivity and impaired negative feedback...