The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans

Pilyoung Kim; Lane Strathearn; James E Swain

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.001

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The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans

Pilyoung Kim, Lane Strathearn and James E Swain

Hormones and behavior, Vol.77, pp.113-123

01/2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.001

PMCID: PMC4724473

PMID: 26268151

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Abstract

This article is part of a Special Issue “Parental Care”. Early mother–infant relationships play important roles in infants' optimal development. New mothers undergo neurobiological changes that support developing mother–infant relationships regardless of great individual differences in those relationships. In this article, we review the neural plasticity in human mothers' brains based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. First, we review the neural circuits that are involved in establishing and maintaining mother–infant relationships. Second, we discuss early postpartum factors (e.g., birth and feeding methods, hormones, and parental sensitivity) that are associated with individual differences in maternal brain neuroplasticity. Third, we discuss abnormal changes in the maternal brain related to psychopathology (i.e., postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse) and potential brain remodeling associated with interventions. Last, we highlight potentially important future research directions to better understand normative changes in the maternal brain and risks for abnormal changes that may disrupt early mother–infant relationships. •Human maternal caregiving is governed by plastic brain networks.•The maternal brain networks integrate emotion and reward with cognitive control.•The human maternal brain adapts for mother–infant bonding.•The human maternal brain changes with psychopathology.•Parenting interventions may affect the plasticity of the human maternal brain.

Parenting

Intervention

fMRI

Neural plasticity

Maternal

Brain imaging

Oxytocin

Postpartum psychopathology

Attachment

Caregiving

Details

Title: Subtitle: The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans
Creators: Pilyoung Kim - Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
Lane Strathearn - Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Center for Disabilities and Development, 100 Hawkins Drive 213F CDD, Iowa City, IA 52246-1011, United States
James E Swain - Department of Psychiatry, Psychology and Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2700, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Hormones and behavior, Vol.77, pp.113-123
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.001
PMID: 26268151
PMCID: PMC4724473
NLM abbreviation: Horm Behav
ISSN: 0018-506X
eISSN: 1095-6867
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000071, name: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, award: R21 HD078797, R01 HD065819; DOI: 10.13039/100000026, name: National Institute on Drug Abuse, award: R01 DA026437; DOI: 10.13039/100006108, name: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, award: UL1 TR000433; DOI: 10.13039/100000030, name: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, award: U49/CE002099; DOI: 10.13039/100000874, name: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation; DOI: 10.13039/100006211, name: Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation
Language: English
Date published: 01/2016
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Record Identifier: 9984040341102771

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