Cited by 440Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumFamily and Disability Support Research

Prenatal stress and risk for autism

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KINNEY, D, MUNIR, K, CROWLEY, D, MILLER, A·2008·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Abstract

This paper reviews several converging lines of research that suggest that prenatal exposure to environmental stress may increase risk for Autistic Disorder (AD). We first discuss studies finding that prenatal exposure to stressful life events is associated with significantly increased risk of AD, as well as other disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. We then review evidence from animal and human studies that prenatal stress can produce both (a) abnormal postnatal behaviors that resemble the defining symptoms of AD, and (b) other abnormalities that have elevated rates in AD, such as learning deficits, seizure disorders, perinatal complications, immunologic and neuroinflammatory anomalies, and low postnatal tolerance for stress. We explain why an etiologic role for prenatal stress is compatible with genetic factors in AD, and describe how stress can disrupt fetal brain development. Finally, we discuss implications for understanding underlying processes in AD, including potential gene-environment interactions, and developing new therapies and early prevention programs.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.06.004

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Authors
KINNEY, D., MUNIR, K., CROWLEY, D., & MILLER, A.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • McLean Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
KINNEY, D
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-10
Volume
32
Issue
8
Pages
1519-1532
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2025653580
Cited by
440
References
112
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 32
FWCI
6.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH 071286, R25MH071286)
  • Fogarty International Center (D43TW005807)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
Keywords
prenatal stress, autism spectrum disorder, autistic disorder, environmental stressors, life events, schizophrenia, depression, learning deficits, epilepsy, perinatal complications, neuroinflammation, stress tolerance, fetal brain development, gene-environment interaction, autism etiology, prevention
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Parent-Child Relations, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Risk, Stress, Psychological

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