As a result, the mRNA levels of total BDNF (Fig. 7a) were up-regulated in animals prenatally exposed to stress (+ 49% vs. NO PNS/CTRL, P = 0.0001) and reduced by the encephalomyelitis (− 26% vs. NO PNS/CTRL, P = 0.047) an effect even higher in PNS/EAE animals (− 40% vs. NO PNS/CTRL, P = 0.0093; − 60% vs. PNS/CTRL, P < 0.0001). The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is encephalomyelitis.