The proposed study will further examine the effects of pregnancy on the human brain, by investigating structural and functional connectivity, local metabolite concentrations and neural activity related to social cognitive and memory processes.…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
de focus is op de effecten van een gezonde zwangerschap
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
We will apply structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diffusion Tensor Imaging ,
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy as well as several functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging paradigms to investigate regional tissue volumes, white
matter tracts, metabolite concentrations and neural activity during rest and
the performance of tasks targeting social cognition and verbal memory. In
addition, the participants will perform a battery of computerized tasks, and
salivary/urinary hormonal and physiological measures will be obtained.
Secondary outcome
n.a.
Background summary
During pregnancy, the body and brain are exposed to an unequaled flood of sex
steroid hormones. In non-human animals, this period is known to involve
substantial alterations in neural architecture. In humans, very little is known
on the effects of pregnancy on the brain. In a previous prospective study,
extensive and long-lasting changes in grey matter volume were observed after
pregnancy, which were primarily located in higher-order associative areas
subserving social cognition. The current proposal will further examine the way
the human brain is altered by the biological process of pregnancy.
Study objective
The proposed study will further examine the effects of pregnancy on the human
brain, by investigating structural and functional connectivity, local
metabolite concentrations and neural activity related to social cognitive and
memory processes. Furthermore, this study aims to relate the neural changes of
pregnancy to specific hormones and changes in behavioral or physiological
measures.
Study design
This topic will be investigated using a prospective within-subjects
case-control setup, in which women with the intention to get pregnant in the
near future will be examined to obtain a pre-pregnancy baseline and will be
followed into early maternity. In addition, a group of control women with no
such intention in the near future will also be examined longitudinally. All
measurements are non-invasive.
Study burden and risks
There are no known risks associated with this research project.
Wassenaarseweg 52
Leiden 2333AK
NL
Wassenaarseweg 52
Leiden 2333AK
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
1. Healthy women with no history of neurological disorders
2. The intention to become pregnant (experimental group) or not (control group) in the near future
3. No intracranial or intraocular metal or a pacemaker
3. Native Dutch speakers
Exclusion criteria
1. A history of neurological disorders
2. Intracranial or intraocular metal, pacemaker, claustrophobia
Design
Recruitment
metc-ldd@lumc.nl
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL55324.058.15 |