The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Hypothesis (DOHaD) states that a brief period of growth-restriction in early life causes permanent programming to developing structures.
This programming increases the incidence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Type II diabetes and some types of cancer. Dr. Ferguson’s Neonatal Nutrition and Exercise Research Lab (NNERL) utilizes molecular physiology techniques to determine mechanisms by which growth-restrictions causes chronic disease and if exercise can be a therapeutic countermeasure.
Postnatal growth-restriction hinders the ability to respond positively to exercise.
Postnatal undernutrition in mice causes cardiac arrhythmogenesis which is exacerbated when pharmacologically stressed.