Teratogenesis Seminar Slides Teratogenesis & Epigenetic Mechanisms
Graduate Seminar: Developmental Psychology
Essential Concepts
01 Principles of Teratogenesis: Timing, Dosage, and Host Susceptibility.
02 Molecular Disruption: Embryonic vs. Fetal developmental windows.
03 Epigenetic Programming: DNA methylation and histone modification.
04 The Placental Interface: Barrier vs. Conduit roles.
Critical Windows
Z
Embryo
Fetus
Weeks 1-2: Lethality Weeks 3-8: Structural Defects Weeks 9-38: Functional Defects
Wilson’s Six Principles of Teratology
A foundational framework for clinical risk assessment.
1. Susceptibility
Depends on the genotype of the conceptus.
2. Developmental Stage
Critical periods of organogenesis are most vulnerable.
3. Mechanisms
Specific pathways (e.g., oxidative stress, apoptosis).
4. Pathogenesis
Abnormal development, death, or functional loss.
5. Access
Nature of the agent and maternal absorption/delivery.
6. Dose-Response
Increases from "no effect" to "total lethality".
Epigenetic Inheritance: The "Barker Hypothesis"
The prenatal environment (nutrition, stress, toxins) programs the fetus for the environment it expects to enter. Discrepancies between the prenatal environment and postnatal reality lead to metabolic and neurodevelopmental pathology.
"The womb may be more important than the home."
Slide Breakdown & Discussion Points
01
Molecular Disruption Pathways
Discuss specific mechanisms: oxidative stress leading to DNA damage, interference with signaling pathways (e.g., Sonic Hedgehog), and inhibition of enzyme systems (e.g., alcohol inhibiting retinoic acid synthesis).
02
Placental Functioning and Transfer
Review the placenta as a metabolically active organ. Discuss "placental insufficiency" and how maternal stress (cortisol) can override the 11β-HSD2 enzyme barrier, exposing the fetus to excess glucocorticoids.
03
Methylation Patterns and Mental Health
Introduce the NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor) gene. Discuss research on maternal mood during pregnancy and the subsequent methylation of this gene in infants, leading to dysregulated stress responses.
Seminar Discussion Starters
"How do we ethically research teratogenic effects in humans without relying solely on retrospective case studies?"
"Given the Barker Hypothesis, should public health interventions focus more on prenatal nutrition than postnatal pediatrics?"
"Evaluate the 'Precautionary Principle' in the context of emerging environmental toxins (e.g., microplastics) and fetal health."
Poly Substance Case Study Clinical Case Analysis
Topic: Poly-Substance Exposure & Differential Risk
Case ID: PSC-092-INF
Clinician/Analyst: __________________________________
Date: ________________
Case Presentation: Patient "K"
Patient K, a newborn female, was delivered at 36 weeks gestation. Maternal history indicates persistent use of high-potency cannabis, prescribed buprenorphine (for OUD), and significant nicotine consumption (15 cigarettes/day) throughout the pregnancy.
Pregnancy History: First-trimester nausea managed with unmonitored herbal supplements. Second-trimester ultrasound noted restricted growth (SGA). Third-trimester was characterized by high maternal stress due to housing instability and interpersonal trauma.
Neonatal Status: Birth weight at 10th percentile. Apgar scores 7 at 1 min, 9 at 5 mins. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) assessment initiated at 4 hours post-delivery due to tremors and hypertonia.
1. Mechanism Analysis
Differentiate the likely mechanisms of disruption for each teratogen identified in this case.
Nicotine/Tobacco
Buprenorphine/Opioids
Cannabis (High Potency)
Maternal Stress/Cortisol
2. Epigenetic Hypotheses
Based on the Barker Hypothesis, what metabolic or neurobehavioral "programming" might be occurring in Patient K?
3. Differential Risk Modeling
Synthesize the protective factors versus insults. Why might two infants with this same exposure profile have radically different developmental outcomes?
GRADUATE SEMINAR: PSY-722 PRENATAL DYNAMICS
CONFIDENTIAL CLINICAL SIMULATION
Epigenetic Risk Matrix Risk Matrix
Epigenetic Modification & Prenatal Programming
Reference Guide
This matrix provides a framework for analyzing how specific environmental triggers (teratogens and stressors) result in molecular modifications to the fetal genome, altering phenotypic expression without changing the DNA sequence.
Triggering Agent Molecular Mechanism Target Genes/Systems Long-term Phenotype Severe Maternal Stress Increased DNA methylation of the GR promoter. NR3C1 (Glucocorticoid Receptor) Hyper-reactive HPA axis; anxiety-like behaviors; poor state regulation. Protein Restriction Histone acetylation changes in liver and pancreas. Pdx1 (Pancreatic development) Insulin resistance; Type 2 Diabetes; Cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Alcohol (Ethanol) Global DNA hypomethylation; chromatin remodeling. Hox Genes; IGF-2 (Growth factors) Growth retardation; craniofacial anomalies; global cognitive deficits. Nicotine Exposure Altered methylation of DNA in cord blood. CYP1A1; AHRR (Aryl hydrocarbon receptor) Respiratory dysfunction; ADHD markers; impaired auditory processing.
Synthesis Task: Transgenerational Effects
Recent research suggests that some epigenetic modifications may persist across generations (germline transmission). Analyze the following scenario: "A pregnant individual experiences severe famine during the first trimester. Their child is born healthy but develops metabolic syndrome at age 30. How might the *grandchildren* of the original individual be affected?"
1. Hypothesis (Germline vs. Somatic):
2. Predictive Biomarkers (What would you measure?):
© 2026 Developmental Psychology Graduate Sequence | Epigenetic Risk Framework
Neonatal Assessment Slides Neonatal Behavioral
Assessment Scale
Decoding the Infant's First Language: State Regulation and Neurological Integrity.
// BRAZELTON SCALE // CLINICAL UTILITY // STATE MODULATION
The 7 Assessment Clusters
Structural Framework
Habituation
Response decrement to repeated stimuli (light, rattle, bell) during sleep.
Orientation
Quality of alertness and ability to follow visual/auditory cues.
Motor Performance
Muscle tone, activity level, and integrated motor acts (hand-to-mouth).
Range of State
Rapidity of state changes and peak excitement levels.
Regulation of State
Self-quieting ability and response to consoling interventions.
Autonomic Stability
Signs of stress (skin color, tremors, startles) during assessment.
Reflexes as Neurological Markers
Primitive reflexes are subcortically controlled. Their presence at birth indicates brainstem integrity; their timely inhibition indicates cortical maturation.
• Absence: Major CNS depression
• Persistence: Cerebral palsy / Cortical damage
• Asymmetry: Peripheral nerve damage or focal brain lesion
Key Reflexes to Code
Moro (Startle)
Palmar Grasp
ATNR (Fencing)
Rooting/Sucking
Stepping
Babinski
Video Observation Task
Observation Feed: Neonatal Unit
Focus 1: Habitation
Does the infant shut out the light stimulus after 3-4 trials?
Focus 2: Consolability
When crying, does the infant use hand-to-mouth or vocal cues to self-regulate?
Focus 3: Peak State
Identify the point of maximum arousal (State 5 or 6).
Reflex Coding Guide Neonatal Observation Lab
Standardized Coding for Reflex Integration and State Maturity
Observer Name: _____________________
Subject ID/GA: ____________________
I. State Distribution (Pre-Assessment)
Note the infant's state at 2-minute intervals. 1=Deep Sleep, 2=Light Sleep, 3=Drowsy, 4=Quiet Alert, 5=Active Alert, 6=Crying.
T+2
T+4
T+6
T+8
T+10
Observation of State Transitions:
Describe the smoothness vs. abruptness of state changes...
II. Reflex Integration Matrix
Reflex Procedure Quality/Response (0-3) Symmetry (L/R) Rooting Stroke perioral area. Moro Head drop or loud noise. ATNR Turn head to one side. Palmar Grasp Press object into palm.
SCORING: 0=Absent, 1=Weak/Delayed, 2=Moderate/Typical, 3=Hyperactive/Persistent
III. Neurological Soft Signs
Evaluate the "best performance" of the infant. Are there indications of CNS depression or hyperexcitability?
Validated for Clinical Practicum Use Only
Instructor Review Signature
Neurobehavioral Report Form Neurobehavioral Profile
Clinical Summary Report
Confidential Patient Record
Patient Identifier
______________________
Gestational Age
______________________
Chronological Age
______________________
1 Physiological & Motor Integration
Autonomic Stability (Tremors, Color):
Motor Tone & Activity Level:
2 Self-Regulation & State Modulation
Consolability & Self-Quieting Mechanisms:
3 Social-Interactive Capacity
Visual/Auditory Orientation (Social & Non-Social):
Prognostic Impression
Based on current observations, identify strengths and developmental vulnerabilities. Recommend follow-up timing.
Clinical Formulation...
Reporting Clinician:
FORM: NBAS-REV-2026
Sensorimotor Slides Cognitive
Architecture
Sensorimotor Foundations of Human Intelligence
Graduate Psychology PHASE: SENSORIMOTOR INTERFACE
The "Action-Effect" Loop
Constructivist View
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to the environment through motor interaction." — Piaget
Self-Locomotion: Drives spatial mapping and perspective-taking.
Manual Exploration: Catalyzes categorization and object properties.
Proprioception: Foundations of the "Self" vs. "Other" distinction.
Motor Action
Sensory Feedback
Schema
The "Surprise" Metric
Infants look longer at "impossible" events than "possible" ones. This suggests innate Core Knowledge.
Renée Baillargeon (1987)
"Object permanence at 3.5 months? Challenging the Piagetian timeline."
1
Habituation: Infant is shown a predictable physical event.
2
Test Event: Violation of a physical law (e.g., solid through solid).
3
Deduction: Longer looking time = violation of internal mental model.
The Visual Cliff Debate
Does the fear of heights emerge from an innate depth perception mechanism, or is it a byproduct of falls and collisions during early crawling?
Perspective A
Maturation of the visual cortex.
Perspective B
Dynamic motor-spatial experience.
VoE Research Critique The Researcher's Ledger
Critical Review: Core Knowledge Paradigms
PI/STUDENT: __________________________________
DATE: ________________
1. Violation of Expectation (VoE) Evaluation
Critique the methodology of Spelke's "Object Solidarity" studies. Some researchers argue that longer looking times reflect perceptual novelty rather than violation of physical logic .
Weakness: Perceptual Salience
Discuss how visual characteristics of the 'impossible' event might distract from the logic...
Weakness: Alternative Explanations
What role does memory or attention-grabbing speed play?
2. Nativism vs. Empiricism Synthesizer
Complete the comparison based on the provided research readings.
Nativist Model (Spelke, Baillargeon)
Constructivist Model (Piaget, Thelen)
Core Premise: Humans are born with specialized cognitive modules for objects, numbers, and space.
Evidence to support...
Core Premise: Cognitive structures are emergent properties of sensorimotor feedback and general learning mechanisms.
Evidence to support...
3. Paradigm Design Proposal
Design a new study that differentiates between "fear of heights" as an innate trait vs. a learned product of locomotion. What controls would you use to isolate crawling experience from chronological age ?
Independent Variable(s):
Dependent Variable(s):
Experimental Procedure Sketch:
Document PSY-SMC-003 // Cognitive Architecture Unit
Developmental Pathway Map Developmental Pathway Map
Tracing the Bidirectional Flow of Motor & Cognitive Milestones
01
Motor: Pre-Reaching (0-3m)
Initial gross motor swiping toward objects.
Cognitive Catalyst
Emergence of visual-motor coordination; contingency learning.
02
Motor: Independent Sitting (5-7m)
Stable posture frees both hands for manipulation.
Cognitive Catalyst
3D object exploration; rotation of objects; size constancy.
03
Motor: Crawling (8-10m)
Transition to self-initiated locomotion.
Cognitive Catalyst
Spatial mapping; distance perception; fear of heights; goal-directed planning.
04
Motor: Walking (11-14m)
Upright locomotion and broader environment access.
Cognitive Catalyst
Social referencing; improved working memory; symbolic representation.
Clinical Application
How do motor delays (e.g., hypotonia in Down Syndrome) ripple through this cognitive pathway? Choose one milestone above and hypothesize the cognitive cost of a 4-month delay.
Draft your analysis here...
Attachment Neurobiology Slides Dyadic
Regulation
The Neurobiology of Attachment and Stress Management.
HPA AXIS
CORTISOL
OXYTOCIN
The Infant HPA Axis
Feedback Systems
Infants are born with a highly reactive stress response but lack internal inhibition.
The Caregiver as External Regulator
Proximity lowers glucocorticoid production.
Synchrony predicts lower cortisol reactivity.
Hypothalamus (CRH)
Pituitary (ACTH)
Adrenal (Cortisol)
"The Social Buffet": Maternal presence can suppress this entire cascade in the first months.
The Still Face Paradigm
Relational Rupture
01
Baseline Interaction
Reciprocal play, eye contact, and vocalization. High synchrony.
02
Still Face Period
Caregiver becomes expressionless. Infant attempts repair, then collapses into distress/withdrawal.
03
Reunion
The "Repair" phase. Rapidity of recovery indicates attachment security.
"It's not the stress, it's the lack of repair that damages the architecture."
CODE: Gaze Aversion CODE: Auto-comforting
Maternal Trauma & The Infant Brain
Trauma can be "inherited" biologically through placental cortisol transfer and behaviorally through frightened/frightening caregiving styles.
Type D Attachment
Disorganized/Disoriented. The caregiver is both the source of fear and the only source of comfort.
HPA Set-Point
Early chronic stress permanently lowers the threshold for stress activation in adulthood.
Dyadic Interaction Lab Micro-Coding Lab
Dyadic Interaction & Rupture Analysis
Lab Session
4.1
ANALYST: ____________________________
DATE: ________________
Instructions
Watch the assigned 3-minute clip of a "Still Face" procedure. Use the intervals below to code infant behaviors. Pay specific attention to bids for repair versus self-regulation .
I. Behavioral Coding Log
Interval Phase Infant Behavioral Cues Intensity (1-5) 0:00 - 0:30 Baseline 0:31 - 1:00 Still Face (Initiation) 1:01 - 1:30 Still Face (Peak) 1:31 - 2:00 Still Face (Collapse) 2:01 - 3:00 Reunion / Repair
II. Clinical Formulation
1. Synthesis of Repair
Evaluate the effectiveness of the caregiver's "repair" attempt. Was it synchronous? How did the infant signal readiness to re-engage?
Enter analysis here...
2. Attachment Classification
Based on the reunion behavior (Proximity seeking vs. avoidance vs. resistance), what is your preliminary attachment classification?
Enter analysis here...
DYADIC ANALYSIS LAB // PSY-740
STILL FACE PARADIGM VERSION 2.0
Trauma Impact Analysis Trauma Impact Dossier
Case Study: Intergenerational Cortisol Programming
Confidential Study
The Case of "Baby M"
Maternal History: The mother, a survivor of developmental trauma and systemic violence, presented with high scores on the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scale. During pregnancy, she reported frequent panic attacks and lived in a high-stress environment with poor social support.
Biological Findings: Cord blood samples at birth showed significantly elevated cortisol levels and lower-than-average oxytocin receptor sensitivity.
Behavioral Presentation: At 6 months, Baby M exhibits "frozen" watchfulness in the presence of the caregiver, difficulty with transition between sleep states, and an absence of social referencing when presented with a novel toy.
1. Neurobiological Formulation
Explain how maternal chronic stress (high cortisol) during gestation may have "pre-set" Baby M's HPA axis. Reference the 11β-HSD2 enzyme in your explanation.
2. Behavioral Phenotype Analysis
Analyze the 6-month behavioral markers. How do "frozen watchfulness" and state regulation difficulties align with Type D (Disorganized) attachment risks?
3. Intervention Strategy (Preliminary)
What is the priority for intervention: the mother's trauma processing, the infant's physiological regulation, or the dyadic interaction? Justify your choice.
PSY-740 // Advanced Developmental Psychopathology
Intervention Models Slides Grand Rounds
Designing Transdisciplinary Early Interventions.
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: Moving from direct-service to family-centered models."
Transdisciplinary Models
Part C Protocol
Primary Service Provider (PSP)
A single professional serves as the main point of contact, coached by a team of specialists. This reduces family stress and service fragmentation.
Evidence-Based Coaching
Focus on enhancing caregiver capacity rather than direct infant therapy. Learning occurs in "natural environments."
SLP
PT/OT
IMH
Geneticist
Family-Centered IFSP
Clinical Decision Making
Biological Risk
• VLBW (< 1500g)
• Grade III/IV IVH
• Hypoxic Insult
Environmental Risk
• Parental Substance Use
• Social Isolation
• Persistent Poverty
Protective Factors
• Maternal Insight
• Extended Kinship
• Community Service Access
The Efficacy Debate
Direct therapy vs. Caregiver coaching for neuroplasticity.
Grand Rounds Case Dossier Case File: Grand Rounds
Subject: High-Risk Neonatal Follow-Up
Case ID
EI-2026-X
Patient Background
Name/Code: Infant J
Age: 4 Months (Corrected)
Birth History: 28 weeks gestation; 950g birth weight. 60 days NICU stay.
Medical: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Mild ROP.
Family Ecology
Caregivers: Single parent; high school education.
Support: Minimal extended family. Lives in rural area (service desert).
Concern: Caregiver feels "overwhelmed" by medical equipment and feeding issues.
Interdisciplinary Assessment Findings
Physical Therapy
Significant extensor thrusting; delayed head control; asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) remains dominant.
Speech & Language
Oral-motor sensitivity; poor latch; minimal cooing; limited social orienting to mother's voice.
Psychology/IMH
Caregiver-infant dyad lacks "dance" of synchrony. Mother exhibits signs of PTSD following NICU trauma.
Grand Rounds Objective
Your task is to present a defense for a specific intervention model . Will you propose a direct clinical intervention (medical model) or a family-centered coaching model? You must address the rural isolation and the NICU trauma in your defense.
Critical Question 1: How will you bridge the distance barrier?
Critical Question 2: How will you treat the mother's trauma to improve infant outcomes?
© GRADUATE DEVELOPMENTAL SEMINAR SERIES FORM: GR-DOS-099
EI Treatment Plan Template EI Treatment Design
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Formulation
LEAD CLINICIAN: ____________________________
CASE ID: ____________________
Domain 1: Sensorimotor & Physical
Primary Developmental Goal:
Evidence-Based Strategy (Coaching Approach):
Domain 2: Social-Emotional & IMH
Primary Dyadic Goal:
Trauma-Informed Technique (e.g., Video Feedback):
Domain 3: Communication & Feeding
Functional Outcome:
Caregiver Implementation Plan:
Transdisciplinary Synthesis
Justify your choice of a Primary Service Provider (PSP) . Which discipline (PT, SLP, or IMH) should lead this case, and why? How will the other specialists provide "teaming" support?
Draft your clinical justification here...
IFSP Design Framework // Part C Early Intervention Planning
