Evolutionary neuropathology & congenital mental retardation: environmental cues predictive of maternal deprivation influence the fetus to minimize cerebral metabolism in order to express bioenergetic thrift

Medical Hypotheses
Jared E Reser

Abstract

This article will propose that humans have an adaptive vulnerability to certain forms of mental retardation, specifically, neuropathological disorders that cause decreased energy expenditure in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. This hypothesis will be analyzed in terms of the thrifty phenotype paradigm according to which adverse prenatal events can cause differential gene expression resulting in a phenotype that is better suited, metabolically, for a deprived environment. For example, a malnourished mother has an increased propensity to give birth to offspring that feature a "thrifty phenotype" which permits highly efficient calorie utilization, increased fat deposition and a sedentary nature. This article interprets several prenatal occurrences, including maternal malnourishment, low birth weight, multiparity, short birth interval, advanced maternal age and maternal stress--which are currently identified by the epidemiological literature as risk factors for neuropathology--to be environmental cues that communicate to the fetus that, because it will be neglected of maternal investment, developing a metabolically conservative brain will be the most effective ecological strategy. Success in hunting and foraging in mammals,...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 20, 2010·Neurotoxicity Research·Trevor ArcherRichard M Kostrzewa
Mar 10, 2009·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics·C A Tony Buffington
Mar 3, 2009·Behavioral and Brain Functions : BBF·Jared Edward Reser
Jan 1, 2011·Evolutionary Psychology : an International Journal of Evolutionary Approaches to Psychology and Behavior·Jared Edward Reser

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