Irvine, Calif., September 16, 2024 — UC Irvine’s Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences is proud to announce a new study published in Nature Neuroscience, revealing remarkable insights into the human brain during pregnancy. Conducted in collaboration with UC Irvine’s Associate Professor Elizabeth Chrastil, Ph.D., and UC Santa Barbara’s Associate Professor Emily Jacobs, Ph.D., this research presents the first comprehensive map of how a human brain undergoes neuroanatomical changes throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Pregnancy is a transformative period for the human body, involving not just physical changes but significant brain remodeling. Until now, these changes have remained largely unknown. “By conducting frequent scans — every two weeks — along with blood samples, we were able to see the widespread changes that occur during the course of pregnancy and how they relate to the dramatic rise in hormones throughout pregnancy,” explains Professor Chrastil. The study found that while gray matter volume decreased in specific regions, white matter integrity — crucial for brain communication — increased during pregnancy, only to return to baseline levels postpartum.
This discovery, made possible through advanced precision imaging, uncovers a level of brain plasticity previously thought to be absent in adulthood. “We were able to uncover large, but transient, increases in white matter integrity, which would have been missed in a before vs. after design,” notes Daniela Cossio, a graduate student in Professor Chrastil’s lab who led the white matter analysis.
One of the most significant challenges in this study was the vast complexity of tracking and analyzing the brain’s structural changes over such a long period. Professor Jacobs praised the team’s dedication, saying, “Laura Pritschet and the study team were a tour-de-force, conducting a rigorous suite of analyses that generated new insights into the human brain and its incredible capacity for plasticity in adulthood.”
The implications of these findings are vast. Beyond broadening our understanding of maternal brain adaptations, this research opens new doors for addressing postpartum mental health issues and other pregnancy-related neurological disorders. “There are now FDA-approved treatments for postpartum depression, but early detection remains elusive. The more we learn about the maternal brain, the better chance we’ll have to provide relief,” says Laura Pritschet, Ph.D., the study’s first author.
Understanding the nuances of the maternal brain can provide vital improvements to women’s healthcare, enabling healthier pregnancies and better outcomes. The future holds incredible promise as we continue to unlock the mysteries of the human brain during this extraordinary life phase.
For those interested in contributing to further research on the maternal brain, visit here to learn more about how you can participate in shaping the future of maternal health.
About the University of California, Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences:
Recognized for its pioneering research and academic excellence, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences plays a crucial role in the university’s status among the nation’s top 10 public universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. It offers a broad spectrum of degree programs in the biological sciences, fostering innovation and preparing students for leadership in research, education, medicine and industry. Nestled in a globally acclaimed and economically vibrant community, the school contributes to the university’s impact as Orange County’s largest employer and a significant economic contributor. Through its commitment to exploring life’s complexities, the Dunlop School embodies the UCI legacy of innovation and societal impact. For more on the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, visit https://www.bio.uci.edu/.