Prenatal dopamine and neonatal behavior and biochemistry

Infant Behav Dev. 2008 Dec;31(4):590-3. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2008.07.007. Epub 2008 Sep 5.

Abstract

Depressed pregnant women (N=126) were divided into high and low prenatal maternal dopamine (HVA) groups based on a tertile split on their dopamine levels at 20 weeks gestation. The high versus the low dopamine group had lower Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) scores, higher norepinephrine levels at the 20-week gestational age visit and higher dopamine and serotonin levels at both the 20- and the 32-week gestational age visits. The neonates of the mothers with high versus low prenatal dopamine levels also had higher dopamine and serotonin levels as well as lower cortisol levels. Finally, the neonates in the high dopamine group had better autonomic stability and excitability scores on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. Thus, prenatal maternal dopamine levels appear to be negatively related to prenatal depression scores and positively related to neonatal dopamine and behavioral regulation, although these effects are confounded by elevated serotonin levels.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / urine
  • Dopamine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant Behavior / physiology*
  • Infant Behavior / psychology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / urine*
  • Prenatal Care / methods
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / psychology*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / urine*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dopamine