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Inflammation signals during pregnancy are associated with aging and memory changes after 50 years
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
By 2050, approximately 13.8 million people in the United States are expected to have Alzheimer's disease (AD), two-thirds of whom will be women. It is known that the brain network responsible for memory differs depending on biological sex, but the sex-related factors in aging and AD remain unclear.
Key findings of the study
The study, led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, analyzed data from participants who were tracked for more than 50 years, beginning in utero. The results show that maternal immune activity during the critical period of sex-specific brain development in pregnancy influences the long-term memory structure and function of offspring during childhood and middle age, with different effects in men and women.
The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry in an article titled: "Prenatal immune origins of brain aging differ by sex."
Key findings
- Maternal immune activity during pregnancy (elevated levels of immune markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) has been associated with changes in brain activity in memory-related areas in offspring.
- These changes were more pronounced in women, especially postmenopausal women, who also showed high markers of inflammation in midlife.
- As early as age seven, children exposed to these immune markers in the womb showed cognitive decline.
Sex differences and hypotheses
- In women, increased maternal prenatal immune activity may contribute to the development of increased sensitivity to immune and stress factors, which the researchers suggest predisposes them to memory impairment and diseases such as AD later in life.
- Men show a different pattern of changes, which is due to differences in sex hormone receptors and early brain development.
Continuing the research
- Scientists continue to follow the participants to study amyloid levels and other markers associated with AD pathology.
- Objectives for further research:
- To understand the mechanisms by which maternal immune activity influences fetal brain development.
- To identify biomarkers of early memory impairment in midlife.
- To study how other periods of development, such as puberty, influence brain aging.
Researchers' commentary
Jill M. Goldstein, lead author of the study, said:
"Prenatal immune activity may influence brain development in offspring, but this does not mean that pregnancy determines the future. Subsequent environmental exposures play an important role. Fortunately, the brain is highly adaptive, and we are eager to identify risk and resilience factors to intervene early and preserve memory function during aging."
These findings highlight the need for early intervention and development of strategies to maintain cognitive health that take into account sex differences.