The impact of pregestational stress on neurodevelopment: Implications…

Published July 17, 2026

A 2026 narrative review in The Journal of Physiology asks whether stress experienced before conception could influence a child's neurodevelopment. Important: it does not show that parental stress causes autism or ADHD. A plain-language summary that is careful about what the evidence does — and does not — support.

<h2>What a 2026 scientific review found—and what parents should understand</h2>Researchers are investigating whether stress experienced by either parent before conception could influence aspects of a child’s development.A 2026 review published in The Journal of Physiology examined possible connections between pregestational stress—stress occurring before pregnancy—and developmental outcomes associated with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).<blockquote>Important: This research does not show that parental stress causes autism or ADHD. Autism and ADHD are complex neurodevelopmental conditions shaped by many genetic, biological and environmental factors. Parents should not interpret these findings as evidence of personal responsibility or blame.</blockquote><h2>What is pregestational stress?</h2>Pregestational stress, or PGS, refers to significant or ongoing stress experienced by a parent before conception.The researchers examined whether stress-related biological changes could potentially affect reproductive cells and influence early development. These effects remain an emerging area of research.<h2>What did the researchers examine?</h2>This was a narrative review, not a new clinical trial. The authors brought together findings from human and animal studies involving:<ul><li>Epigenetic changes in sperm and egg cells</li><li>DNA methylation, which can influence how genes are regulated</li><li>Development of the brain’s GABA signalling system</li><li>Programming of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, or HPA axis</li><li>The body’s regulation of and response to stress</li><li>The possibility that certain biological effects could extend across generations</li></ul><h2>What did the review suggest?</h2>The authors proposed several possible ways that stress before conception might influence development.<h3>Changes in gene regulation</h3>Stress may be associated with epigenetic changes in sperm or egg cells. Epigenetics affects how genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence.<h3>Differences in early brain signalling</h3>The review discussed possible effects on the development of GABA, a chemical messenger involved in regulating communication between brain cells.<h3>Changes in the stress-response system</h3>Pregestational stress may influence the development of the HPA axis, which helps regulate the body’s response to stress.These mechanisms could potentially affect fetal brain development. However, much of the evidence is preliminary, and findings from animal studies cannot automatically be applied to people.<h2>What this research does not prove</h2>The review does not establish that:<ul><li>Stress before conception causes autism or ADHD</li><li>A particular stressful event will affect a future child</li><li>Autism or ADHD could have been prevented if a parent had experienced less stress</li><li>Parents are responsible for their child’s neurodevelopmental differences</li><li>Stress reduction can prevent autism or ADHD</li></ul>An association or proposed biological mechanism is not the same as proof of cause and effect.<h2>Why does this research matter?</h2>The research may help scientists better understand how health and environmental experiences before pregnancy could interact with early development.It also supports a broader approach to preconception healthcare—one that includes mental health, sleep, physical health and access to social support for both parents.Stress reduction should be viewed as support for parental well-being, not as a method of preventing autism or ADHD.<h2>Practical takeaway for parents</h2>Parents who are planning a pregnancy may benefit from:<ul><li>Speaking with a healthcare professional about preconception health</li><li>Seeking support for chronic stress, anxiety or depression</li><li>Prioritizing sleep and general physical health where possible</li><li>Reviewing medications with a qualified healthcare professional</li><li>Building supportive personal and community connections</li></ul>Not everyone can eliminate stress, and experiencing stress is not a parenting failure. Families facing financial pressure, caregiving demands, discrimination, illness or other difficult circumstances deserve practical support—not blame.<h2>Questions that remain unanswered</h2>Further human research is needed to determine:<ul><li>Which types and levels of stress may be relevant</li><li>Whether timing or duration makes a difference</li><li>How biological changes may interact with genetics</li><li>Whether the proposed epigenetic effects are reversible</li><li>How closely findings from animal studies apply to humans</li><li>Which interventions genuinely support healthier outcomes</li></ul><h2>About the study</h2>Title: The impact of pregestational stress on neurodevelopment: Implications for autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderAuthors: Samaneh Ahmadian-Moghadam, Ehsan Saboory and Shiva Roshan-Milani Journal: The Journal of Physiology Published online: May 30, 2026 DOI: 10.1113/JP290693 PMID: 42218111 Study type: Narrative review<a target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42218111/">Read the study record on PubMed</a><hr>This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health concerns.For Autism Parents, By Autism Parents 💙♾️The citation details and review type were verified using the <a target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42218111/">PubMed record</a> and the <a target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP290693">publisher’s article page</a>.

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