Summary: New research has shown that cannabis use during pregnancy can cause molecular changes in the genes of children who are exposed to it and affect brain development. The study identified significant DNA changes in genes associated with neurodevelopment, suggesting a direct link between prenatal cannabis exposure and developmental problems.
These findings are particularly concerning because cannabis use is on the rise among pregnant women, especially for the relief of pregnancy-related symptoms. This study highlights the need for better guidance on the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy to avoid potential long-term effects on children.
Key facts:
- Consuming cannabis during pregnancy causes molecular changes in genes related to brain development.
- These DNA changes affect genes involved in neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Cannabis use among pregnant women is on the rise, raising concerns about the health of children.
Source: University of Canterbury
New research shows that cannabis use during pregnancy is directly linked to negative effects on the brain development of babies.
Led by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | Dr Amy Osborne, senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury (UC) Faculty of Life Sciences, said the study showed for the first time that prenatal cannabis use was associated with molecular changes in the genes of exposed children.
“We know that cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with brain development and cognitive function during childhood and adolescence,” says Dr. Osborne.
However, previous studies have failed to prove that cannabis exposure specifically caused the adverse effects on neurodevelopment that were observed.
This research has been published in the journal Molecular psychiatry.
Dr. Osborne says the new study is important because cannabis use during pregnancy is a growing issue: “Cannabis is now the most commonly used drug, excluding alcohol and tobacco, among pregnant women in the United States and its frequency since The covid-19 pandemic is on the rise.
The research, conducted in collaboration with UC and the University of Oxford in the UK, uses genomic data from two longitudinal studies. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in England and the Christchurch Health and Development Study.
These findings show significant genome-wide DNA changes in offspring of mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy.
“Using data from subjects at birth, 7, 15 to 17, and 27 years of age, we demonstrated molecular markers of cannabis exposure (PCE) in exposed subjects,” Dr. Osborne said.
“In a world first, we identified a significant number of molecular changes in genes involved in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental diseases throughout life. This is a key finding because it suggests a molecular link between early cannabis exposure. It exists from birth and its effect on genes involved in neural development.
Dr Osborne says the results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting a causal link between PCE and adverse outcomes in exposed children.
This is a serious concern, she says, because internationally many pregnant women are using cannabis and cannabis-infused products to ease pregnancy symptoms and anxiety.
As more cannabis products become available overseas and eventually in New Zealand, the use of cannabis during pregnancy will continue to increase. But the disadvantages of this practice are not well known.
We hope that our research will inspire further research with larger cohorts and that clearer recommendations will soon be made regarding the effects of cannabis use on pregnant women. “Otherwise, the potential risk to children remains and is likely to increase.”
About this CUD, Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Research News
Author: Amy Osborne
Source: University of Canterbury
contact: Amy Osborne – University of Canterbury
Image: This image is credited to Neuroscience News
Main research: Open access.
“Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with offspring DNA methylation changes in genes involved in neural development throughout life,” Amy Osborne and colleagues say. Molecular psychiatry
abstract
Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with offspring DNA methylation changes in genes involved in neural development throughout life.
Prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) is of increasing concern globally due to its potential impact on offspring neurodevelopment and its association with brain development and cognitive function during childhood and adolescence.
However, there is currently a lack of research on the molecular impact of PCE that may help clarify the relationship between PCE and neurodevelopment.
To address this knowledge gap, here we present data from an epigenome-wide association study across multiple time points, examining the effect of PCE and concurrent tobacco exposure using two longitudinal studies, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC ) and Christchurch. Health and Development Study (CHDS) at birth (0 years), 7 years and 15–17 years (ALSPAC), and ~27 years (CHDS).
Our findings show significant genome-wide DNA methylation differences in offspring at 0 years, 7 years, 15–17 years, and 27 years associated with PCE alone and concurrent tobacco exposure. Most importantly, we identified methylated CpG sites in genes LZTS2, NPSR1, NT5E, CRIP2, DOCK8, COQ5and LRP5 which is common between different time periods during development in children.
Notably, functional pathway analysis revealed differential DNA methylation enrichment in the pathways of neurodevelopment, neurotransmission, and neurostructure, and this was consistent across all time points in both groups.
Given the growing body of epidemiological evidence showing an association between PCE and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in at-risk offspring, this work highlights the need for further research on PCE, particularly in larger cohorts.
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