Impact of maternal obesity on the long-term brain health of offspring.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physiology Development and Neuroscience
Abstract
In England, 1 in 5 women of reproductive age are obese. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal obesity may be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in offspring, and may increase the risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a mechanism by which obesity may programme disease. To date, few studies have determined the long-term impact of maternal obesity on cerebral structure and function in offspring. Furthermore, the mechanism by which obesity may programme neurological dysfunction, remain to be elucidated. The project will assess locomotor function, anxiety-related behaviour, cognition and social interactions, in male and female mice adult offspring from normal and obese mothers, using a battery of rodent behavioural tasks. In order to unravel the mechanisms of action pertaining to modifications in behaviour, immunohistochemical and molecular assessment of brain tissue will be performed to assess cerebral development and injury, alongside markers of lipid peroxidation, nitrosative and mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Abigail Fowden (Primary Supervisor) | |
Emily Mort (Student) |
Publications
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR/N013433/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/04/2026 | |||
1946495 | Studentship | MR/N013433/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | Emily Mort |
Description | Medical Research Council DTP -Covid-19 Extension Award |
Amount | £8,500 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PMAG/518 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Cambridge science festival 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Volunteering help with CamBrain and Neural Knitworks events at the 2018 Cambridge Science Festival. Whilst engaging in the planned activities (making models of neurons and discussing them and face painting neurons onto children) with the public I would discuss nutrition in pregnancy and the effect it can have on neurodevelopment and how my project is investigating this. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |