Cortical thickness variation of the maternal brain in the first 6 months postpartum: associations with parental self-efficacy

Abstract

The postpartum period is associated with structural and functional plasticity in brain regions involved in parenting. While one study identified an increase in gray matter volume during the first 4 months among new mothers, little is known regarding the relationship between cortical thickness across postpartum months and perceived adjustment to parenthood. In this study of 39 socioeconomically diverse first-time new mothers, we examined the relations among postpartum months, cortical thickness, and parental self-efficacy. We identified a positive association between postpartum months and cortical thickness in the prefrontal cortex including the superior frontal gyrus extending into the medial frontal and orbitofrontal gyri, in the lateral occipital gyrus extending into the inferior parietal and fusiform gyri, as well as in the caudal middle frontal and precentral gyri. The relationship between cortical thickness and parental self-efficacy was specific to the prefrontal regions. These findings contribute to our understanding of the maternal brain in the first 6 months postpartum and provide evidence of a relationship between brain structure and perceived adjustment to parenthood.

Keywords: Cortical thickness; Maternal brain; Parental self-efficacy; Postpartum period.

Figure 1.

Results of the whole-brain surface analysis identifying brain regions in which cortical thickness is positively associated with postpartum months (Cluster-wise probability corrected, p < 0.05).

Figure 2.

(a) Significant cluster identified in the left superior frontal gyrus extending into the medial frontal and orbitofrontal gyri; (b) a scatter plot of the relationship between the left superior frontal gyrus and parental self-efficacy (CT = cortical thickness);