Journal article
Oxytocin and Maternal Brain Plasticity
New directions for child and adolescent development, Vol.2016(153), pp.59-72
09/2016
DOI: 10.1002/cad.20170
PMCID: PMC5181786
PMID: 27589498
Abstract
Although dramatic postnatal changes in maternal behavior have long been noted, we are only now beginning to understand the neurobiological mechanisms that support this transition. The present paper synthesizes growing insights from both animal and human research to provide an overview of the plasticity of the mother's brain, with a particular emphasis on the oxytocin system. We examine plasticity observed within the oxytocin system and discuss how these changes mediate an array of other adaptations observed within the maternal brain. We outline factors that affect the oxytocin-mediated plasticity of the maternal brain and review evidence linking disruptions in oxytocin functions to challenges in maternal adaptation. We conclude by suggesting a strategy for intervention with mothers who may be at risk for maladjustment during this transition to motherhood, while highlighting areas where further research is needed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Oxytocin and Maternal Brain Plasticity
- Creators
- Sohye Kim - Baylor College of MedicineLane Strathearn - University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- New directions for child and adolescent development, Vol.2016(153), pp.59-72
- DOI
- 10.1002/cad.20170
- PMID
- 27589498
- PMCID
- PMC5181786
- NLM abbreviation
- New Dir Child Adolesc Dev
- ISSN
- 1520-3247
- eISSN
- 1534-8687
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- R01 HD065819 / NICHD NIH HHS R03 HD080998 / NICHD NIH HHS R01 DA026437 / NIDA NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2016
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984040018602771
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