The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans

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.

Keywords: Attachment; Brain imaging; Caregiving; Intervention; Maternal; Neural plasticity; Oxytocin; Parenting; Postpartum psychopathology; fMRI.

Figure 1

Plasticity in the maternal brain - Early life factors, such as experience of parental warmth and previous mental health affect plastic brain circuits that ultimately regulate maternal affective regulation capacity and caregiving outcomes. Plastic or adaptable circuits, some of which are overlappping, include those for Emotion Response and Processing [Amygdala, Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), Ventral ACC] and Salience/Fear/Motivation Processing [Amygdala, Insula, Ventral Striatum (VS)] working with cortical executive function [Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex (VLPFC), Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)] and empathy [Medial Prefrontal Cortex (MPFC), Precuneus, Superior Temporal Sulcus) circuits (adapted from Moses-Kolko et al., 2014).