Infection during pregnancy causes almost immediate changes to placental cells called spongiotrophoblasts, according to a new study in mice. That change compromises maternal immune tolerance of the fetus and in turn sets off a cascade of inflammation that ultimately leads to behavioral differences in some male pups, the researchers found. “The biggest surprise is just […]
Anna Penn associate professorColumbia University A decade ago, Anna Penn received a call from a Scientific American reporter who wanted to know what to call the area of research that probes connections between the placenta and disorders of the brain. “Neuroplacentology,” Penn said, providing a word of her own invention. it has since become the […]
