Summary: New research has found that cannabis use during pregnancy can cause molecular changes in the genes of exposed children, impacting brain development. The study identified significant DNA alterations in genes related to neurodevelopment, suggesting a direct link between prenatal cannabis exposure and developmental issues.
These findings are especially concerning as cannabis use among pregnant women is on the rise, particularly for alleviating pregnancy-related symptoms. The study highlights the need for better guidance on the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy to prevent potential long-term impacts on children.
Key Facts:
- Cannabis use during pregnancy causes molecular changes in genes tied to brain development.
- These DNA changes affect genes involved in neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Cannabis use among pregnant women is increasing, raising concerns about child health.
Source: University of Canterbury
Novel research suggests cannabis use during pregnancy is directly linked to negative impacts on babies’ brain development.
Led by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) School of Biological Sciences Senior Lecturer Dr. Amy Osborne, the study, for the first time, has found that prenatal cannabis use is associated with molecular changes in the genes of exposed children.
“We know cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with childhood and adolescent brain development and cognitive function,” Dr. Osborne says.
“However, previous studies haven’t been able to prove that cannabis exposure has specifically caused the adverse effects on neurodevelopment that have been observed.”
The research is 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 the frequency has been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The research, which is a collaboration between UC and the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom, uses genomic data from two longitudinal studies; the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in the UK, and the Christchurch Health and Development Study.
The findings reveal genome-wide significant DNA changes in the offspring of mothers who smoked cannabis during pregnancy.
“Using data from individuals at birth, aged seven, 15-17, and 27, we showed a molecular signature of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) in exposed individuals,” Dr. Osborne says.
“In a world-first, we identified a significant number of molecular changes in genes involved in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disease, across the life course. This is a key finding because it suggests there is a molecular link between prenatal cannabis exposure and impacts on the genes involved in neurodevelopment.”
Dr. Osborne says the results add to growing evidence suggesting a causative link between PCE and adverse outcomes in exposed children.
This is of serious concern, because internationally, many pregnant women are using cannabis and cannabis-containing products to alleviate pregnancy symptoms and anxiety, she says.
“With the wider availability of cannabis products overseas, and eventually in New Zealand, the use of cannabis during pregnancy will continue to rise. However, the harms of this practice are not well known.
“We hope our research will inspire further investigation with larger cohorts and there will soon be clearer advice to pregnant women about the impact of cannabis use. Otherwise, the potential risk to children remains, and will likely grow.”
About this CUD, genetics and neurodevelopment research news
Author: Amy Osborne
Source: University of Canterbury
Contact: Amy Osborne – University of Canterbury
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with alterations in offspring DNA methylation at genes involved in neurodevelopment, across the life course” by Amy Osborne et al. Molecular Psychiatry
Abstract
Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with alterations in offspring DNA methylation at genes involved in neurodevelopment, across the life course
Prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) is of increasing concern globally, due to the potential impact on offspring neurodevelopment, and its association with childhood and adolescent brain development and cognitive function.
However, there is currently a lack of research addressing the molecular impact of PCE, that may help to clarify the association between PCE and neurodevelopment.
To address this knowledge gap, here we present epigenome-wide association study data across multiple time points, examining the effect of PCE and co-exposure with tobacco using two longitudinal studies, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) at birth (0 y), 7 y and 15–17 y (ALSPAC), and ~27 y (CHDS).
Our findings reveal genome-wide significant DNA methylation differences in offspring at 0 y, 7 y, 15–17 y, and 27 y associated with PCE alone, and co-exposure with tobacco. Importantly, we identified significantly differentially methylated CpG sites within the genes LZTS2, NPSR1, NT5E, CRIP2, DOCK8, COQ5, and LRP5 that are shared between different time points throughout development in offspring.
Notably, functional pathway analysis showed enrichment for differential DNA methylation in neurodevelopment, neurotransmission, and neuronal structure pathways, and this was consistent across all timepoints in both cohorts.
Given the increasing volume of epidemiological evidence that suggests a link between PCE and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed offspring, this work highlights the need for further investigation into PCE, particularly in larger cohorts.
