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Stress is the body's response to challenges or demands, triggering a cascade of physiological and psychological reactions. When stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and alertness. 

Stress can lead to health issues like anxiety, depression and cardiovascular problems. However, stress also has positive aspects - it can enhance motivation, performance and resilience. It prompts adaptation to new situations and promotes growth, improving problem-solving skills and fostering personal development. 

While excessive stress can be harmful, moderate stress can be beneficial for overall well-being and productivity.

In addition to these advantages, researchers recently explored the effects of stress hormones on the early development of brain cells in the fetal cerebral cortex, the region vital for cognitive functions. Glucocorticoids, including cortisol, are essential for regulating metabolism, immune response and fetal organ development. Administered synthetically in high-risk pregnancies, they aid lung maturation. The recent study focused on their influence during the first or early second trimester.

Brain cell development

The team discovered that early exposure to glucocorticoids increases the number of basal progenitor cells, crucial for cortical growth. Utilizing brain organoids derived from human cells, they observed this phenomenon in early developmental stages.

Glucocorticoids act via the ZBTB16 protein, promoting cortical neuron production. A genetic variant leading to increased ZBTB16 levels showed associations with altered brain structure and enhanced educational outcomes later in life.

Hormonal exposure

Contrary to late gestational exposure, which poses risks like neuronal loss and psychiatric disorders, early exposure during neurogenesis promotes beneficial effects such as heightened cognitive abilities. Late-stage neurogenesis precludes similar positive outcomes.

Understanding these cellular and molecular pathways can explain how glucocorticoids influence cortical development, with potential implications for cognitive function and brain structure. Insights into early developmental processes may also pave the way for therapeutic interventions targeting maternal health during pregnancy.