Maternal PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age

Background Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand activated transcription factors with crucial functions in lipid homeostasis, glucose metabolism, anti-inflammatory processes, placental development, and are involved in cognitive functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Polymorphisms in PPAR genes are shown to influence the activity of these receptors. Aims 1) To examine the association of PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism in pregnant women and their offspring on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes during the first 18months of life; 2) to determine the influence of Pro12Ala polymorphism on fatty acid concentrations in plasma phospholipids and placental tissue. Study design 138 mother–infant pairs from the PREOBE observational study were genotyped for PPARG Pro12Ala. Plasma phospholipids and placental fatty acid concentrations were measured at delivery. Infants' neuropsychological assessment at 6 and 18months of age was performed using Bayley III. Results The effect of Pro12Ala on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes was detected at 18months, but not at 6months of age. 18months old infants born to mothers with wild-type Pro12 genotype had better cognitive (OR=5.11, 95% CI: 1.379–18.96, p=0.015), language (OR=3.41, 95% CI: 1.35–11.24, p=0.044), and motor development scores (OR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.243–18.33, p=0.023) than the Ala allele carriers. Pro12Ala variants did not seem to affect fatty acids concentrations in blood nor in placenta at delivery. Conclusions Infants born to mothers with Pro12 genotype have better neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18months of age than Ala allele carriers, indicating a long-term transplacental action of PPARγ variants on foetal brain development.