The impact of choroid plexus signaling on hippocampal development in the embryonic brain

Pregnant mothers with substance use disorders pose a high risk for developmental disorders in their offspring. While there is therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds, such as lysergic acid diethylamide, through serotonin signaling for maternal health, the potential adverse outcomes on neurodevelopment resulting from fetal exposure to psychedelics is not completely understood. The choroid plexus, the main producer of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) containing growth factors crucial for brain development, exhibits the highest expression of the serotonin 5HT2C receptors in the developing brain. How maternal exposure to psychedelics affects the fetal choroid plexus, is currently unknown.
In this project, the effects of maternal administration of psychedelics on the activation of fetal choroid plexus and the C SF proteome, along with resulting hippocampal development in offspring, will be characterized. Advanced two-photon microscopy will be used to capture choroid plexus activity, and proteomics techniques will determine secreted CSF composition upon maternal exposure of psychedelics. Immunohistochemical procedures and behaviors studies will be employed to determine the effect on hippocampal development. Careful characterization of the interactions between maternal psychedelic exposure, choroid plexus activity, and fetal hippocampal development will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding about potential adverse outcomes of psychedelic exposure on fetal brain development.