Exposure to drugs and medication may affect brain development of infants during pregnancy

New research suggests that exposure to the uterus with anti-epileptic drugs or antidepressants may affect the development of neonatal brain networks. In research, new mathematical methods were d
eveloped to allow future research into the effects of overused drugs or other natural conditions on the newborn brain.

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Pregnant women may need to be treated for their medical conditions, such as mood swings or epilepsy. The effects of such drug treatment on neonatal brain function were tested in a study conducted at the BABA Center, a research unit at the University of Helsinki, and the New HUS Helsinki University Hospital. The study used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity during sleep, and cortical network structures were calculated using advanced mathematical techniques.

"In previous studies, we have shown that changes in cortical function in all sleep regions can provide important information on the nervous system of children," said Chief Researcher Anton Tokarev.

Studies have shown that exposure to antiepileptics and antidepressants during the fetal period leads to widespread changes in cortical networks, and these effects may be related to the type of drug exposure. In the case of antidepressants, the effect was most evident in local cortical networks. In contrast, exposure to antiepileptics has had drug-related effects on wider brain networks. Both types of drugs have affected dynamic brain networks at sleep stages.

"What was clinically significant about these findings were, among others, EEG findings related to pediatric neuropsychological development. Substantial changes in neural networks predicted significant deviations in growth at 2 years of age," said Mari Videman, a pediatric neurologist at HUS. Helsinki. University Hospital.

New light on early brain development

Research provides a completely new way to evaluate the effects of drug agents on improving a child's brain function.

“The EEG measurement model developed at the BABA Center and its associated evaluation of neural networks statistics make it a success in clinical research regarding early neurodevelopment,” said Professor Sampsa Vanhatalo.

Vanhatalo considers it very important that these EEG-based measures open a window into processes that operate within a neuronal cell. This leads to the opportunity to compare the effects observed in human children with research conducted using laboratory models with animals. Such translation work is needed to understand the mechanical foundations of drug effects. For example, the same animal activity is needed to study how the amount or duration of drug treatment for mothers can affect a child's brain function.

"Our novel approaches provide a comprehensive framework for analysis to support future in-depth research into questions of how a child's brain development is affected by changes in the intrauterine environment. summarizes Vanhatalo.