The Impacts of Preconception Nutrition on Pregnancy: An educational module promoting preconception care

Recent research has shown that maternal overweight and obesity (OW/OB) prior to conception are directly and independently associated with negative outcomes in pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, and beyond. The purpose of this project was to create and evaluate educational materials for providers who work with women of childbearing age, in order to encourage and facilitate conversations about the importance of preconception nutrition in family planning. A literature review was conducted, and from it two documents were created: 1) an educational module for providers offering background information, relevant research, and tips for discussing the matter with patients; and 2) an infographic-style handout, written in lay language, for providers to use directly with patients. These materials were presented to 16 practitioners, and the efficacy of the materials was assessed using pre- and post-intervention surveys, in addition to qualitative feedback. Responses indicated that the educational materials were positively received by the participants, and the vast majority of participants planned to increase or enhance their discussions of this important topic as a result of the module. Given the current national overweight and obesity epidemic, such efforts could have wide-reaching impacts on health outcomes. This project, while small, indicates that further such educational efforts for providers are warranted

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder