Obesity Before Pregnancy May Leave a "Genetic Stamp" Linked to Autism-Like Behaviors

SadaNews - A recent scientific study warned that a woman's weight gain before pregnancy may affect the neurological development of her children and is linked to the emergence of autism-like behaviors due to inherited genetic changes, according to Newsweek.

The research, conducted by a team from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, revealed that obesity could cause metabolic shifts leading to what is known as "epigenetic changes" in the mother's eggs. These long-lasting changes can be transmitted to the fetus and affect the genes responsible for brain development, including the "Homer1" gene, which plays a crucial role in regulating neural signaling, learning, and memory.

This discovery comes at a time when obesity and autism spectrum disorder rates are rising globally. American statistics indicate that more than 42 percent of adults suffer from obesity, while one in every 31 children and one in every 45 adults has autism.

To separate the effects of obesity before pregnancy from its effects during pregnancy, researchers used in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer techniques, allowing them to study early genetic effects more precisely. Experiments on animal models showed that male mice born to obese mothers suffered from social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors, traits associated with autism spectrum disorder.

Professor Alika K. Maunakea, an expert in epigenetic modifications, clarified that a mother's health before pregnancy, not just during it, can leave a profound impact on the child's brain development, noting that "the genetic stamps inherited from the egg, even without any direct contact with the mother post-fertilization, were sufficient to cause behavioral changes."

Professor Monica Ward, a reproductive biology specialist, indicated that the results represent a significant advancement in understanding how early life programming can have effects that extend across generations, emphasizing that combining expertise in reproductive biology and evolutionary sciences with epigenetics opens new avenues for preventive interventions.

The team hopes that these findings will pave the way for therapeutic or preventive strategies to be adopted even before pregnancy, whether through diet or pharmacological interventions, to reduce potential risks.

Experts point out that the causes of autism spectrum disorder remain unresolved and are likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors, reiterating that autism is not a disease, but a difference in how the brain works, unrelated to vaccines, parenting styles, or diet quality.