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Mota-Rojas D, Bienboire-Frosini C, Orihuela A, Domínguez-Oliva A, Villanueva García D, Mora-Medina P, Cuibus A, Napolitano F, Grandin T. Mother-Offspring Bonding after Calving in Water Buffalo and Other Ruminants: Sensory Pathways and Neuroendocrine Aspects. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2696. [PMID: 39335285 PMCID: PMC11428873 DOI: 10.3390/ani14182696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The cow-calf bonding is a process that must be developed within the first six hours after calving. Both the buffalo dam and the newborn calf receive a series of sensory cues during calving, including olfactory, tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. These inputs are processed in the brain to develop an exclusive bond where the dam provides selective care to the filial newborn. The limbic system, sensory cortices, and maternal-related hormones such as oxytocin mediate this process. Due to the complex integration of the maternal response towards the newborn, this paper aims to review the development of the cow-calf bonding process in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) via the olfactory, tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. It will also discuss the neuroendocrine factors motivating buffalo cows to care for the calf using examples in other ruminant species where dam-newborn bonding has been extensively studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, Department of Animal Production and Agriculture, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
- Department of Molecular Biology and Chemical Communication, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Agustín Orihuela
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, Department of Animal Production and Agriculture, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco Campus, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Dina Villanueva García
- Division of Neonatology, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Alex Cuibus
- Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Fabio Napolitano
- Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Temple Grandin
- Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
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2
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Li M. Is melanin-concentrating hormone in the medial preoptic area a signal for the decline of maternal care in late postpartum? Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 75:101155. [PMID: 39222798 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This manuscript proposes that melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) is an neurochemical signal evolved to trigger the declining process of maternal care. MCH in the MPOA appears only after parturition and is progressively increased with the progression of lactation, while maternal behavior declines progressively. Intra-MPOA injection of MCH decreases active maternal responses. MCH is also highly responsive to infant characteristics and maternal condition. Behavioral changes induced by MCH in late postpartum period are conducive to the decline of infant-directed maternal behavior. The MPOA MCH system may mediate the maternal behavior decline by suppressing the maternal approach motivation and/or increasing maternal withdrawal via its inhibitory action onto the mesolimbic dopamine D1/D2 receptors and its stimulating action on serotonin 5-HT2C receptors in the ventral tegmental area. Research into the MCH maternal effects will enhance our understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the maternal behavior decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Spalek K, Straathof M, Koyuncu L, Grydeland H, van der Geest A, Van't Hof SR, Crone EA, Barba-Müller E, Carmona S, Denys D, Tamnes CK, Burke S, Hoekzema E. Pregnancy renders anatomical changes in hypothalamic substructures of the human brain that relate to aspects of maternal behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 164:107021. [PMID: 38492349 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Animal studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with neural adaptations that promote maternal care. The hypothalamus represents a central structure of the mammalian maternal brain and hormonal priming of specific hypothalamic nuclei plays a key role in the induction and expression of maternal behavior. In humans, we have previously demonstrated that becoming a mother involves changes in grey matter anatomy, primarily in association areas of the cerebral cortex. In the current study, we investigated whether pregnancy renders anatomical changes in the hypothalamus. Using an advanced delineation technique, five hypothalamic substructures were defined in longitudinal MRI scans of 107 women extracted from two prospective pre-conception cohort studies, including 50 women who were scanned before and after pregnancy and 57 nulliparous control women scanned at a similar time interval. We showed that becoming a mother is associated with volume reductions in the anterior-superior, superior tuberal and posterior hypothalamus. In addition, these structural changes related to hormonal levels during pregnancy and specific aspects of self-reported maternal behavior in late pregnancy, including maternal-fetal attachment and nesting behavior. These findings show that pregnancy leads to changes in hypothalamic anatomy and suggest that these contribute to the development of maternal behavior in humans, supporting the conservation of key aspects of maternal brain circuitry and their role in maternal behavior across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Spalek
- Hoekzema Lab, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Milou Straathof
- Hoekzema Lab, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lal Koyuncu
- Brain and Development Research Center, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Håkon Grydeland
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC), Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Anouk van der Geest
- Brain and Development Research Center, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sophie R Van't Hof
- Hoekzema Lab, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eveline A Crone
- Brain and Development Research Center, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Susana Carmona
- Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), location University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christian K Tamnes
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sarah Burke
- Brain and Development Research Center, Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elseline Hoekzema
- Hoekzema Lab, Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC), location University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Mizuguchi N, Kato K, Sugawara SK, Yoshimi T, Goto Y, Takasu K, Isaka T. Age and parous-experience dependent changes in emotional contagion for positive infant sounds. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1336126. [PMID: 38601818 PMCID: PMC11004475 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1336126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emotional contagion is achieved by inferring and emotionally resonating with other persons' feelings. It is unclear whether age-related changes in emotional contagion for infant sounds are modulated by the experience of childbirth or childcare. This study aims to evaluate changes in inference and emotional resonance for positive and negative infant sounds (laughter and crying) among women, based on age and parous experience. Methods A total of 241 women (60 young nulliparous, 60 young parous, 60 old nulliparous, and 61 old parous) completed a web-based questionnaire. After listening to three types of infant sounds (laughter, cooing, and crying), participants responded with their valence for hearing infant sounds and estimated infant valence on an 11-point Likert scale. Results The analysis for emotional resonance revealed that the correlation coefficient between self and estimated infant valences was greater in young parous and old nulliparous women than in young nulliparous women, in laughter and cooing sounds. However, correlation coefficients for crying did not differ among any of the four groups. Conclusion The degree of emotional resonance for infant valence increased depending on age and parous-experience for positive infant sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Mizuguchi
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kenji Kato
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Sho K. Sugawara
- Neural Prosthetics Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yoshimi
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuta Goto
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kaori Takasu
- Administrative Office, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Tadao Isaka
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
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McGuigan M, Larkin P. Laid-back breastfeeding: knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives and student midwives in Ireland. Int Breastfeed J 2024; 19:13. [PMID: 38373983 PMCID: PMC10877745 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-024-00619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite concerted efforts by policy developers, health professionals and lay groups, breastfeeding rates in Ireland remain one of the lowest in world, with 63.6% of mothers initiating breastfeeding at birth, dropping to 37.6% of mothers breastfeeding exclusively on hospital discharge. Nipple trauma and difficulties with baby latching are major contributors to the introduction of formula and discontinuation of breastfeeding. Research shows laid-back breastfeeding (LBBF) significantly reduces breast problems such as sore and cracked nipples, engorgement, and mastitis as well as facilitating a better latch. Although the benefits of LBBF are well documented, this position does not seem to be routinely suggested to mothers as an option when establishing breastfeeding. This study aims to determine midwives' and student midwives' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of using laid-back breastfeeding in Ireland. METHOD A cross-sectional descriptive survey distributed to midwives and student midwives in three maternity hospitals in Ireland and two online midwifery groups based in the Republic of Ireland, during June, July, and August 2021. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-three valid responses were received from nine maternity units. Most participants (81.4%) were aware of laid-back breastfeeding. However, only 6.8% of respondents cited it as the position they most frequently use. Over one-third (38.34%) had never used this position with mothers. Those more likely to suggest LBBF had personal experience of it, were lactation consultants or working towards qualification, or had participated in specific education about LBBF. Barriers included lack of education, confidence, time, and experience. Further issues related to work culture, a tendency to continue using more familiar positions and concerns about mothers' anatomy and mothers' unfamiliarity with LBBF. CONCLUSION Although there was a high level of awareness of laid-back breastfeeding among midwives and student midwives, there are challenges preventing its use in practice. Education specifically related to using LBBF in practice is required to overcome the barriers identified. A greater understanding of mothers' and babies' intrinsic feeding capacities may give midwives more confidence to recommend this method as a first choice, potentially leading to more successful breastfeeding establishment and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret McGuigan
- Staff Midwife, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Co. Louth, Drogheda, Ireland.
| | - Patricia Larkin
- The School of Health and Science, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co. Louth, Ireland
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Agbor Epse Muluh E, McCormack JC, Mo Y, Garratt M, Peng M. Gustatory and olfactory shifts during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiol Behav 2024; 273:114388. [PMID: 37890603 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a transformative phase marked by significant behavioral and physiological changes. Substantial changes in pregnancy-related hormones are thought to induce changes in chemosensory perception, as often observed in non-human animals. However, empirical behavioral research on pregnancy-related olfactory or gustatory changes has not yet reached a consensus. This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated published data of olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals, across the three pregnancy trimesters and postpartum period. Our comprehensive search strategy identified 20 relevant studies, for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals, regardless of trimester, performed significantly poorer in terms of odour identification, however, no difference was detected between non-pregnant controls and women postpartum. Additionally, pregnant women in the second and third trimester rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense. A slight decline in odour pleasantness ratings was observed amongst those in the second trimester. No major difference was observed between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects in terms of gustatory functions, except the first trimester appeared to be associated with increased pleasantness for the sweet taste. Post-hoc meta-regression analyses revealed that pregnancy stage was a significant predictor for observed effect size for odour intensity ratings, but not for odour identification scores. These findings provide valuable insights into the interplay between pregnancy and chemosensory perception, highlighting systematic physiological changes due to pregnancy. Healthcare providers can also utilize the knowledge of sensory shifts to better support pregnant women in making appropriate dietary choices, managing sense-related discomfort, and leading to potential sensory interventions. Overall, this research enhances our comprehension of sensory shifts during pregnancy, benefiting maternal health and pregnancy-related care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh
- Sensory Neurosensory and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jessica C McCormack
- Sensory Neurosensory and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yunfan Mo
- Sensory Neurosensory and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael Garratt
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mei Peng
- Sensory Neurosensory and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Bounoua N, Tabachnick AR, Eiden RD, Labella MH, Dozier M. Emotion dysregulation and reward responsiveness as predictors of autonomic reactivity to an infant cry task among substance-using pregnant and postpartum women. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22449. [PMID: 38131244 PMCID: PMC10752434 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Maternal substance use may interfere with optimal parenting, lowering maternal responsiveness during interactions with their children. Previous work has identified maternal autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity to parenting-relevant stressors as a promising indicator of real-world parenting behaviors. However, less is known about the extent to which individual differences in emotion dysregulation and reward processing, two mechanisms of substance use, relate to maternal ANS reactivity in substance-using populations. The current study examined associations among emotion dysregulation, reward responsiveness, and ANS reactivity to an infant cry task among 77 low-income and substance-using women who were either pregnant (n = 63) or postpartum (n = 14). Two indicators of ANS functioning were collected during a 9 min computerized infant cry task (Crybaby task): respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre-ejection period. Mothers also completed self-reported measures of emotion dysregulation and reward responsiveness. Analyses revealed that trait emotion regulation was associated with RSA reactivity to the Crybaby task, such that greater emotion dysregulation was associated with greater RSA reduction during the infant cry task than lower emotion dysregulation. Reward responsiveness was not significantly associated with either indicator of ANS reactivity to the task. Findings revealed distinct patterns of associations linking emotion dysregulation with ANS reactivity during a parenting-related computerized task, suggesting that emotion regulation may be a key intervention target for substance-using mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Bounoua
- University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Psychology
| | | | - Rina D. Eiden
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Psychology, and the Social Science Research Institute
| | | | - Mary Dozier
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
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Shimon-Raz O, Yeshurun Y, Ulmer-Yaniv A, Levinkron A, Salomon R, Feldman R. Attachment Reminders Trigger Widespread Synchrony across Multiple Brains. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7213-7225. [PMID: 37813569 PMCID: PMC10601370 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0026-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Infant stimuli elicit widespread neural and behavioral response in human adults, and such massive allocation of resources attests to the evolutionary significance of the primary attachment. Here, we examined whether attachment reminders also trigger cross-brain concordance and generate greater neural uniformity, as indicated by intersubject correlation. Human mothers were imaged twice in oxytocin/placebo administration design, and stimuli included four ecological videos of a standard unfamiliar mother and infant: two infant/mother alone (Alone) and two mother-infant dyadic contexts (Social). Theory-driven analysis measured cross-brain synchrony in preregistered nodes of the parental caregiving network (PCN), which integrates subcortical structures underpinning mammalian mothering with cortical areas implicated in simulation, mentalization, and emotion regulation, and data-driven analysis assessed brain-wide concordance using whole-brain parcellation. Results demonstrated widespread cross-brain synchrony in both the PCN and across the neuroaxis, from primary sensory/somatosensory areas, through insular-cingulate regions, to temporal and prefrontal cortices. The Social context yielded significantly more cross-brain concordance, with PCNs striatum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, ACC, and PFC displaying cross-brain synchrony only to mother-infant social cues. Moment-by-moment fluctuations in mother-infant social synchrony, ranging from episodes of low synchrony to tightly coordinated positive bouts, were tracked online by cross-brain concordance in the preregistered ACC. Findings indicate that social attachment stimuli, representing evolutionary-salient universal cues that require no verbal narrative, trigger substantial interbrain concordance and suggest that the mother-infant bond, an icon standing at the heart of human civilization, may function to glue brains into a unified experience and bind humans into social groups.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Infant stimuli elicit widespread neural response in human adults, attesting to their evolutionary significance, but do they also trigger cross-brain concordance and induce neural uniformity among perceivers? We measured cross-brain synchrony to ecological mother-infant videos. We used theory-driven analysis, measuring cross-brain concordance in the parenting network, and data-driven analysis, assessing brain-wide concordance using whole-brain parcellation. Attachment cues triggered widespread cross-brain concordance in both the parenting network and across the neuroaxis. Moment-by-moment fluctuations in behavioral synchrony were tracked online by cross-brain variability in ACC. Attachment reminders bind humans' brains into a unitary experience and stimuli characterized by social synchrony enhance neural similarity among participants, describing one mechanism by which attachment bonds provide the neural template for the consolidation of social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaara Yeshurun
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | | | - Ayelet Levinkron
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Roy Salomon
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
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Jimenez-Barragan M, del Pino Gutierrez A, Garcia JC, Monistrol-Ruano O, Coll-Navarro E, Porta-Roda O, Falguera-Puig G. Study protocol for improving mental health during pregnancy: a randomized controlled low-intensity m-health intervention by midwives at primary care centers. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:309. [PMID: 37674184 PMCID: PMC10483870 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression has received considerable attention worldwide. Mental health problems in pregnant women already since early weeks of gestation may have important consequences to the fetus. The necessity for more effective health care pathways, including some early interventions that reduce the overall burden of the childbearing situation appears a key factor for a successful birth and care of the baby. The few studies focalized in interventions, are focused on delivery and postpartum, without taking into account the whole maternity process. Current literature recommends the use of interventions based on new technologies for the treatment of mood disorders, already during the prenatal period. There have been scarce well-designed intervention studies that test technological low-intensity interventions by midwives to address pregnant women's mental health, diminishing anxiety and depression during pregnancy. METHODS/DESIGN Adult pregnant women (weeks 12-14 of gestation) will be recruited and screened from different primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain. Women who pass the initial mental screening will be randomly allocated to the relaxation virtual reality intervention or control group. The intervention aims to improve mental state of pregnant women during pregnancy, work through breathing, mindfulness and muscle relaxation techniques. Women in the control group will receive standard care offered by the public funded maternity services in Catalonia. The primary outcome measures will include the Edinburg Postnatal Depression (EPDS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) instruments. Secondary outcome measures will include the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R) and the Whooley and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) questions. Routinary pregnancy monitoring measures will be also evaluated. DISCUSSION This study aims to test the efficacy of a low-intensity, midwife-led e-health intervention based on new technologies to work on women's anxiety and depression during pregnancy. We hypothesize that low-intensity mental health intervention during pregnancy, using an e-health (virtual reality) as a support tool, will be effective in reducing of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improving satisfaction with pregnancy follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials ID NCT05756205.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Jimenez-Barragan
- Fundació Assistencial Mútua Terrassa, (Terrassa), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Group Atenció a La Salut Sexual I Reproductiva (GRASSIR), Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amparo del Pino Gutierrez
- Departament de Salut Pública, Salut Mental I Materno-Infantil, Facultat de Medicina I Ciències de La SalutUniversitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Curto Garcia
- Departament de Salut Pública, Salut Mental I Materno-Infantil, Facultat de Medicina I Ciències de La SalutUniversitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Monistrol-Ruano
- Patient Safety and Research Nurse, Fundació Assistencial Mútua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | | | - Oriol Porta-Roda
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Falguera-Puig
- Research Group Atenció a La Salut Sexual I Reproductiva (GRASSIR), Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Barcelona, Spain
- Direcció d’Atenció Primària Metropolitana Nord, Atenció a La Salut Sexual I Reproductiva Metropolitana Nord, Institut Català de La Salut, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Powers S, Han X, Martinez J, Dufford AJ, Metz TD, Yeh T, Kim P. Cannabis use during pregnancy and hemodynamic responses to infant cues in pregnancy: an exploratory study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1180947. [PMID: 37743996 PMCID: PMC10512021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1180947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances during pregnancy and has the potential to negatively impact parent-infant relationships. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) response to infant cues during pregnancy has been associated with subsequent positive parenting behaviors. However, PFC activation is altered in individuals who use cannabis. As the potency of cannabis has changed over the years, little is known about the specific role of cannabis use on gestational parent brain responses to infant cues. Materials and methods Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in the second trimester of pregnancy, we measured hemodynamic responses to an infant cry task and an infant faces task among individuals who were using cannabis (N = 14) and compared them with those who were not using cannabis (N = 45). For the infant cry task, pregnant individuals listened to cry sounds and matched white noise. For the infant faces task, they viewed happy, sad, and neutral faces. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Without adjusting for multiple comparisons, we found preliminary evidence for the differences in the dorsomedial PFC associated with heightened response to infant cry among individuals who use cannabis. The groups were also different in the dorsolateral PFC associated with decreased response to infant sad faces among individuals who use cannabis. Discussion Our preliminary data suggests that cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with brain activation in the regions involved in the emotional regulation and information processes. However, the results did not survive after adjustment for multiple comparisons, thus future research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm potential differences in brain function among cannabis-using pregnant individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Powers
- University of Denver, Psychology, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Xu Han
- University of Colorado, Computer Science, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Alexander John Dufford
- Department of Medical Social Sciences and Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Torri D. Metz
- University of Utah Health, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Tom Yeh
- University of Colorado, Computer Science, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- University of Denver, Psychology, Denver, CO, United States
- Department of Psychology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
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Mota-Rojas D, Marcet-Rius M, Domínguez-Oliva A, Martínez-Burnes J, Lezama-García K, Hernández-Ávalos I, Rodríguez-González D, Bienboire-Frosini C. The Role of Oxytocin in Domestic Animal’s Maternal Care: Parturition, Bonding, and Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071207. [PMID: 37048463 PMCID: PMC10093258 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is one of the essential hormones in the birth process; however, estradiol, prolactin, cortisol, relaxin, connexin, and prostaglandin are also present. In addition to parturition, the functions in which OXT is also involved in mammals include the induction of maternal behavior, including imprinting and maternal care, social cognition, and affiliative behavior, which can affect allo-parental care. The present article aimed to analyze the role of OXT and the neurophysiologic regulation of this hormone during parturition, how it can promote or impair maternal behavior and bonding, and its importance in lactation in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Míriam Marcet-Rius
- Department of Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Mexico
| | - Karina Lezama-García
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlán 54714, Mexico
| | - Daniela Rodríguez-González
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
- Department of Molecular Biology and Chemical Communication, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France
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12
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Cammisuli DM, Castelnuovo G. Neuroscience-based psychotherapy: A position paper. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1101044. [PMID: 36860785 PMCID: PMC9968886 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1101044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In the recent years, discoveries in neuroscience have greatly impacted upon the need to modify therapeutic practice starting from the evidence showing some cerebral mechanisms capable of coping with mental health crisis and traumatic events of the individual's life history by redesigning the narrative plot and the person's sense of the Self. The emerging dialogue between neuroscience and psychotherapy is increasingly intense and modern psychotherapy cannot ignore the heritage deriving from studies about neuropsychological modification of memory traces, neurobiology of attachment theory, cognitive mechanisms involved in psychopathology, neurophysiology of human empathy, neuroimaging evidence about psychotherapeutic treatment, and somatoform disorders connecting the brain and the body. In the present article, we critically examined sectorial literature and claimed that psychotherapy has to referred to a neuroscience-based approach in order to adopt the most tailored interventions for specific groups of patients or therapy settings. We also provided recommendations for care implementation in clinical practice and illustrated challenges of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University, Milan, Italy,Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Gianluca Castelnuovo ✉
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13
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Xu N, Groh AM. The significance of mothers' attachment representations for vagal responding during interactions with infants. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:50-70. [PMID: 33480320 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2021.1876615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the significance of mothers' attachment for neurobiological responding during interactions with infants. To address this gap, this study examined links between mothers' (N = 139) attachment representations and dynamic change in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) while interacting with infants in the Still-Face Procedure (SFP). Mothers higher on secure base script knowledge (SBSK) exhibited greater RSA reactivity during the SFP characterized by lower RSA during normal play, higher RSA during the still-face, and lower RSA during reunion. Findings indicate that mothers higher on SBSK exhibit RSA responding expected to support active behavioral coping during normal play and reunion - consistent with the need to engage infants in social interaction - and RSA responding during the still-face expected to support efforts to calm the body and empathize with their infant during this distressing social disruption. Findings advance knowledge of the significance of adult attachment for the neurobiology of caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanxi Xu
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
| | - Ashley M Groh
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA
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14
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Sinisalo H, Bakermans‐Kranenburg MJ, Peltola MJ. Hormonal and behavioral responses to an infant simulator in women with and without children. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22321. [PMID: 36282748 PMCID: PMC9545496 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the impact of maternal status on hormonal reactivity and behavioral responses to an infant simulator in 117 women (54 primiparous, 63 nulliparous). The amount of affectionate touch and motherese were analyzed as behavioral measures of caregiving. Saliva was collected before and 10 min after interaction with the infant simulator to analyze oxytocin, testosterone, cortisol, and estradiol levels. Nulliparous women also provided information about their fertility motivation. Linear mixed models indicated that greater use of affectionate touch was associated with lower overall testosterone levels. Cortisol decreased in response to the interaction in both groups. In the primiparous group, the amount of affectionate touch associated inversely with cortisol levels, whereas in the nulliparous group such association was not found. Oxytocin or estradiol reactivity to the simulator did not differ between the groups, nor were these hormones associated with behavior. Higher fertility motivation in nulliparous women was related to more motherese, and lower testosterone levels. Our results indicate that the simulator elicits hormonal reactivity both in mothers and nonmothers, but the patterns of associations between caregiving behavior and hormonal levels may be partially different. These results encourage using the infant simulator to explore hormonal processes related to the transition to parenthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanneli Sinisalo
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Faculty of Social Sciences, PsychologyTampere UniversityTampereFinland
| | - Marian J. Bakermans‐Kranenburg
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Educational and Family StudiesVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mikko J. Peltola
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Faculty of Social Sciences, PsychologyTampere UniversityTampereFinland
- Tampere Institute for Advanced StudyTampere UniversityTampereFinland
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15
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Post-partum Women’s Anxiety and Parenting Stress: Home-Visiting Protective Effect During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Matern Child Health J 2022; 26:2308-2317. [PMID: 36153448 PMCID: PMC9510513 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03540-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a particularly adverse and stressful environment for expecting mothers, possibly enhancing feelings of anxiety and parenting stress. The present work assesses mothers' anxiety levels at delivery and parenting stress after 3 months as moderated by home-visiting sessions. Methods Women (n = 177) in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdown were enrolled in northern Italy and split into those who did and did not receive home visits. After 3 months, the association between anxiety at delivery and parenting stress was assessed with bivariate correlations in the whole sample and comparing the two groups. Results Higher anxiety at birth correlated with greater perceived stress after 3 months. Mothers who received at least one home-visiting session reported lower parenting stress at 3 months than counterparts who did not receive home visits. Conclusions for Practice The perinatal period is a sensitive time window for mother-infant health, especially during a critical time like the COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest that home-visiting programs could be beneficial during global healthcare emergencies to promote maternal well-being after delivery.
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16
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Gotlieb N, Wilsterman K, Finn SL, Browne MF, Bever SR, Iwakoshi-Ukena E, Ukena K, Bentley GE, Kriegsfeld LJ. Impact of Chronic Prenatal Stress on Maternal Neuroendocrine Function and Embryo and Placenta Development During Early-to-Mid-Pregnancy in Mice. Front Physiol 2022; 13:886298. [PMID: 35770190 PMCID: PMC9234491 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.886298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress, both leading up to and during pregnancy, is associated with increased risk for negative pregnancy outcomes. Although the neuroendocrine circuits that link the stress response to reduced sexual motivation and mating are well-described, the specific pathways by which stress negatively impacts gestational outcomes remain unclear. Using a mouse model of chronic psychological stress during pregnancy, we investigated 1) how chronic exposure to stress during gestation impacts maternal reproductive neuroendocrine circuitry, and 2) whether stress alters developmental outcomes for the fetus or placenta by mid-pregnancy. Focusing on the stress-responsive neuropeptide RFRP-3, we identified novel contacts between RFRP-3-immunoreactive (RFRP-3-ir) cells and tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons in the arcuate nucleus, thus providing a potential pathway linking the neuroendocrine stress response directly to pituitary prolactin production and release. However, neither of these cell populations nor circulating levels of pituitary hormones were affected by chronic stress. Conversely, circulating levels of steroid hormones relevant to gestational outcomes (progesterone and corticosterone) were altered in chronically-stressed dams across gestation, and those dams were qualitatively more likely to experience delays in fetal development. Together, these findings suggest that, up until at least mid-pregnancy, mothers appear to be relatively resilient to the effects of elevated glucocorticoids on reproductive neuroendocrine system function. We conclude that understanding how chronic psychological stress impacts reproductive outcomes will require understanding individual susceptibility and identifying reliable neuroendocrine changes resulting from gestational stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Gotlieb
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kathryn Wilsterman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Biology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Samantha L. Finn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Madison F. Browne
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Savannah R. Bever
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Eiko Iwakoshi-Ukena
- Laboratory of Neurometabolism, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ukena
- Laboratory of Neurometabolism, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - George E. Bentley
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lance J. Kriegsfeld
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Lance J. Kriegsfeld,
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17
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Capistrano CG, Grande LA, McRae K, Phan KL, Kim P. Maternal socioeconomic disadvantage, neural function during volitional emotion regulation, and parenting. Soc Neurosci 2022; 17:276-292. [PMID: 35620995 PMCID: PMC10829500 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2022.2082521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The transition to becoming a mother involves numerous emotional challenges, and the ability to effectively keep negative emotions in check is critical for parenting. Evidence suggests that experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage interferes with parenting adaptations and alters neural processes related to emotion regulation. The present study examined whether socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with diminished neural activation while mothers engaged in volitional (i.e., purposeful) emotion regulation. 59 mothers, at an average of 4 months postpartum, underwent fMRI scanning and completed the Emotion Regulation Task (ERT). When asked to regulate emotions using reappraisal (i.e., Reappraise condition; reframing stimuli in order to decrease negative emotion), mothers with lower income-to-needs ratio exhibited dampened neural activation in the dorsolateral and ventrolateral PFC, middle frontal and middle temporal gyrus, and caudate. Without explicit instructions to down-regulate (i.e., Maintain condition), mothers experiencing lower income also exhibited dampened response in regulatory areas, including the middle frontal and middle temporal gyrus and caudate. Blunted middle frontal gyrus activation across both Reappraise and Maintain conditions was associated with reduced maternal sensitivity during a mother-child interaction task. Results of the present study demonstrate the influence of socioeconomic disadvantage on prefrontal engagement during emotion regulation, which may have downstream consequences for maternal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leah A Grande
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Kateri McRae
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - K Luan Phan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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18
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Vuoriainen E, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Huffmeijer R, van IJzendoorn MH, Peltola MJ. Processing children's faces in the parental brain: A meta-analysis of ERP studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104604. [PMID: 35278598 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Event-related potentials (ERPs) are an excellent tool for investigating parental neural responses to child stimuli. Using meta-analysis, we quantified the results of available studies reporting N170 or LPP/P3 ERP responses to children's faces, targeting three questions: 1) Do parents and non-parents differ in ERP responses to child faces? 2) Are parental ERP responses larger to own vs. unfamiliar child faces? 3) Are parental ERP responses to child faces associated with indicators of parenting quality, such as observed parental sensitivity? Across 23 studies (N = 1035), key findings showed 1) larger N170 amplitudes to child faces in parents than in non-parents (r = 0.19), 2) larger LPP/P3 responses to own vs. unfamiliar child faces in parents (r = 0.19), and 3) positive associations between parental LPP/P3 responses to child faces and parenting quality outcomes (r = 0.15). These results encourage further research particularly with the LPP/P3 to assess attentional-motivational processes of parenting, but also highlight the need for larger samples and more systematic assessments of associations between ERPs and parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Vuoriainen
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland
| | - Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Educational and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rens Huffmeijer
- Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, University of London, UK
| | - Mikko J Peltola
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland; Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, Tampere University, Finland.
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19
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Nishitani S, Kasaba R, Hiraoka D, Shimada K, Fujisawa TX, Okazawa H, Tomoda A. Epigenetic Clock Deceleration and Maternal Reproductive Efforts: Associations With Increasing Gray Matter Volume of the Precuneus. Front Genet 2022; 13:803584. [PMID: 35309114 PMCID: PMC8926035 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.803584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive efforts, such as pregnancy, delivery, and interaction with children, make maternal brains optimized for child-rearing. However, extensive studies in non-human species revealed a tradeoff between reproductive effort and life expectancy. In humans, large demographic studies have shown that this is the case for the most part; however, molecular marker studies regarding aging remain controversial. There are no studies simultaneously evaluating the relationship between reproductive effort, aging, and brain structures. We therefore examined the associations between reproductive efforts (parity status, number of deliveries, motherhood period, and cumulative motherhood period), DNA methylation age (mAge) acceleration (based on Horvath’s multi-tissue clock and the skin & blood clock), and the regional gray matter volumes (obtained through brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using voxel-based morphometry) in 51 mothers aged 27–46 years of children in early childhood. We found that increasing reproductive efforts were significantly associated with decelerated aging in mothers with one to four children, even after adjusting for the confounding effects in the multiple linear regression models. We also found that the left precuneus gray matter volume was larger as deceleration of aging occurred; increasing left precuneus gray matter volume, on the other hand, mediates the relationship between parity status and mAge deceleration. Our findings suggest that mothers of children in early childhood, who have had less than four children, may benefit from deceleration of aging mediated via structural changes in the precuneus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Nishitani
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Chiba University, University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- *Correspondence: Shota Nishitani, ; Akemi Tomoda,
| | - Ryoko Kasaba
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Chiba University, University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daiki Hiraoka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Shimada
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Chiba University, University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Takashi X. Fujisawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Chiba University, University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Okazawa
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Chiba University, University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan
- *Correspondence: Shota Nishitani, ; Akemi Tomoda,
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20
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Lindseth LRS, de Lange AMG, van der Meer D, Agartz I, Westlye LT, Tamnes CK, Barth C. Associations between reproductive history, hormone use, APOE ε4 genotype and cognition in middle- to older-aged women from the UK Biobank. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1014605. [PMID: 36760712 PMCID: PMC9907169 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1014605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Relative to men, women are at a higher risk of developing age-related neurocognitive disorders including Alzheimer's disease. While women's health has historically been understudied, emerging evidence suggests that reproductive life events such as pregnancy and hormone use may influence women's cognition later in life. Methods We investigated the associations between reproductive history, exogenous hormone use, apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 genotype and cognition in 221,124 middle- to older-aged (mean age 56.2 ± 8.0 years) women from the UK Biobank. Performance on six cognitive tasks was assessed, covering four cognitive domains: episodic visual memory, numeric working memory, processing speed, and executive function. Results A longer reproductive span, older age at menopause, older age at first and last birth, and use of hormonal contraceptives were positively associated with cognitive performance later in life. Number of live births, hysterectomy without oophorectomy and use of hormone therapy showed mixed findings, with task-specific positive and negative associations. Effect sizes were generally small (Cohen's d < 0.1). While APOE ε4 genotype was associated with reduced processing speed and executive functioning, in a dose-dependent manner, it did not influence the observed associations between female-specific factors and cognition. Discussion Our findings support previous evidence of associations between a broad range of female-specific factors and cognition. The positive association between a history of hormonal contraceptive use and cognition later in life showed the largest effect sizes (max. d = 0.1). More research targeting the long-term effects of female-specific factors on cognition and age-related neurocognitive disorders including Alzheimer's disease is crucial for a better understanding of women's brain health and to support women's health care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann-Marie G. de Lange
- LREN, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm Health Care Services, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars T. Westlye
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian K. Tamnes
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claudia Barth
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Claudia Barth, ✉
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21
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Martínez-García M, Cardenas SI, Pawluski J, Carmona S, Saxbe DE. Recent Neuroscience Advances in Human Parenting. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 27:239-267. [PMID: 36169818 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97762-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood entails brain adaptations to the demands of caring for a newborn. This chapter reviews recent neuroscience findings on human parenting, focusing on neuroimaging studies. First, we describe the brain circuits underlying human maternal behavior, which comprise ancient subcortical circuits and more sophisticated cortical regions. Then, we present the short-term and long-term functional and structural brain adaptations that characterize the transition to motherhood, discuss the long-term effects of parenthood on the brain, and propose several underlying neural mechanisms. We also review neuroimaging findings in biological fathers and alloparents (such as other relatives or adoptive parents), who engage in parenting without directly experiencing pregnancy or childbirth. Finally, we describe perinatal mental illnesses and discuss the neural responses associated with such disorders. To date, studies indicate that parenthood is a period of enhanced brain plasticity within brain areas critical for cognitive and social processing and that both parenting experience and gestational-related factors can prime such plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sofia I Cardenas
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jodi Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), Rennes, France
| | - Susanna Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Darby E Saxbe
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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22
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Yatziv T, Vancor EA, Bunderson M, Rutherford HJV. Maternal perinatal anxiety and neural responding to infant affective signals: Insights, challenges, and a road map for neuroimaging research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:387-399. [PMID: 34563563 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety symptoms are common among women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, potentially having detrimental effects on both mother and child's well-being. Perinatal maternal anxiety interferes with a core facet of adaptive caregiving: mothers' sensitive responsiveness to infant affective communicative 'cues.' This review summarizes the current research on the neural correlates of maternal processing of infant cues in the presence of perinatal anxiety, outlines its limitations, and offers next steps to advance future research. Functional neuroimaging studies examining the neural circuitry involved in, and electrophysiological studies examining the temporal dynamics of, processing infant cues during pregnancy and postpartum are reviewed. Studies have generally indicated mixed findings, although emerging themes suggest that anxiety may be implicated in several stages of processing infant cues- detection, interpretation, and reaction- contingent upon cue valence. Limitations include inconsistent designs, lack of differentiation between anxiety and depression symptoms, and limited consideration of parenting-specific (versus domain-general) anxiety. Future studies should incorporate longitudinal investigation of multiple levels of analysis spanning neural, cognitive, and observed aspects of sensitive caregiving.
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23
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Atkins R, Johnson S, Pontes MCF, Stellmacher T, Gadaleta D, Lewis H, Qosja A, Finkelstein D, Williams W. Socio-Demographic and Coping Correlates and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Low-Income and Ethnic Minority Mothers At-Risk. Clin Nurs Res 2021; 31:100-114. [PMID: 34328019 DOI: 10.1177/10547738211029685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study identified coping and sociodemographic correlates and predictors of depressive symptoms in mothers at risk for clinical depression. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed. A convenience sample of 88 low-income or ethnic-minority mothers aged 21 to 45 completed a depression scale, demographic data sheet, and responded to an open-ended question. Content analysis, descriptive, and inferential statistics was used for data analysis. Exactly 42.5% of mothers reported high depressive symptoms (>16). Lower income levels (r = .342, p = .01) and head-of-household status (r = .220, p = .04) were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms. Those who used social support coping had lower depressive symptoms than those who did not (t = 2.50, p = .014). Those using emotion-focused coping only had higher depressive symptoms than those using a mix of coping strategies (t = 2.60, p = .011). Healthcare providers can employ vigilant depression screening and encourage utilization of a mix of problem and emotion-focused coping strategies to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent clinical depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wanda Williams
- Rutgers the State University of New Jersey School of Nursing-Camden, USA
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24
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Norscia I, Agostini L, Moroni A, Caselli M, Micheletti-Cremasco M, Vardé C, Palagi E. Yawning Is More Contagious in Pregnant Than Nulliparous Women : Naturalistic and Experimental Evidence. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2021; 32:301-325. [PMID: 34255275 PMCID: PMC8321968 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-021-09404-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Contrary to spontaneous yawning, which is widespread in vertebrates and probably evolutionary ancient, contagious yawning—yawning triggered by others’ yawns—is considered an evolutionarily recent phenomenon, found in species characterized by complex sociality. Whether the social asymmetry observed in the occurrence of contagious yawning is related to social and emotional attachment and may therefore reflect emotional contagion is a subject of debate. In this study we assessed whether yawn contagion was enhanced in pregnant women, a cohort of subjects who develop prenatal emotional attachment in preparation for parental care, via hormonal and neurobiological changes. We predicted that if yawn contagion underlies social and emotional attachment, pregnant women would be more likely to contagiously yawn than nonpregnant, nulliparous women of reproductive age. We gathered data in two different settings. In the experimental setting, 49 women were exposed to video stimuli of newborns either yawning or moving their mouth (control) and we video-recorded the women during repeated trials to measure their yawning response. In the naturalistic setting, 131 women were observed in a social environment and their yawning response was recorded. We tested the factors influencing the yawning response, including the reproductive status (pregnant vs. not pregnant). In both settings, yawn contagion occurred significantly more in pregnant than nonpregnant women. By showing that pregnant women were most likely to respond to others’ yawns, our results support the hypothesis that the social variation observed in yawn contagion may be influenced by emotional attachment and that yawning in highly social species might have been coopted for emotional contagion during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Norscia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Lucia Agostini
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessia Moroni
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Caselli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Concetta Vardé
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Pinerolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Palagi
- Department of Biology, Unit of Ethology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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25
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Horrell ND, Acosta MC, Saltzman W. Plasticity of the paternal brain: Effects of fatherhood on neural structure and function. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1499-1520. [PMID: 33480062 PMCID: PMC8295408 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Care of infants is a hallmark of mammals. Whereas parental care by mothers is obligatory for offspring survival in virtually all mammals, fathers provide care for their offspring in only an estimated 5%-10% of genera. In these species, the transition into fatherhood is often accompanied by pronounced changes in males' behavioral responses to young, including a reduction in aggression toward infants and an increase in nurturant behavior. The onset of fatherhood can also be associated with sensory, affective, and cognitive changes. The neuroplasticity that mediates these changes is not well understood; however, fatherhood can alter the production and survival of new neurons; function and structure of existing neurons; morphology of brain structures; and neuroendocrine signaling systems. Although these changes are thought to promote infant care by fathers, very little evidence exists to support this hypothesis; in most cases, neither the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity in fathers nor its functional significance is known. In this paper, we review the available data on the neuroplasticity that occurs during the transition into fatherhood. We highlight gaps in our knowledge and future directions that will provide key insights into how and why fatherhood alters the structure and functioning of the male brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melina C. Acosta
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA USA
| | - Wendy Saltzman
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience and Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA USA
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26
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Orchard ER, Ward PGD, Chopra S, Storey E, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. Neuroprotective Effects of Motherhood on Brain Function in Late Life: A Resting-State fMRI Study. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1270-1283. [PMID: 33067999 PMCID: PMC7906778 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal brain undergoes structural and functional plasticity during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Little is known about functional plasticity outside caregiving-specific contexts and whether changes persist across the lifespan. Structural neuroimaging studies suggest that parenthood may confer a protective effect against the aging process; however, it is unknown whether parenthood is associated with functional brain differences in late life. We examined the relationship between resting-state functional connectivity and number of children parented in 220 healthy older females (73.82 ± 3.53 years) and 252 healthy older males (73.95 ± 3.50 years). We compared the patterns of resting-state functional connectivity with 3 different models of age-related functional change to assess whether these effects may be functionally neuroprotective for the aging human parental brain. No relationship between functional connectivity and number of children was obtained for males. For females, we found widespread decreasing functional connectivity with increasing number of children parented, with increased segregation between networks, decreased connectivity between hemispheres, and decreased connectivity between anterior and posterior regions. The patterns of functional connectivity related to the number of children an older woman has parented were in the opposite direction to those usually associated with age-related cognitive decline, suggesting that motherhood may be beneficial for brain function in late life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina R Orchard
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip G D Ward
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sidhant Chopra
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience (Medicine), Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Gary F Egan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharna D Jamadar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Melbourne, Australia
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27
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Kim P. How stress can influence brain adaptations to motherhood. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100875. [PMID: 33038383 PMCID: PMC7539902 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Research shows that a woman's brain and body undergo drastic changes to support her transition to parenthood during the perinatal period. The presence of this plasticity suggests that mothers' brains may be changed by their experiences. Exposure to severe stress may disrupt adaptive changes in the maternal brain and further impact the neural circuits of stress regulation and maternal motivation. Emerging literature of human mothers provides evidence that stressful experience, whether from the past or present environment, is associated with altered responses to infant cues in brain circuits that support maternal motivation, emotion regulation, and empathy. Interventions that reduce stress levels in mothers may reverse the negative impact of stress exposure on the maternal brain. Finally, outstanding questions regarding the timing, chronicity, types, and severity of stress exposure, as well as study design to identify the causal impact of stress, and the role of race/ethnicity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States.
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28
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Bjertrup AJ, Jensen MB, Schjødt MS, Parsons CE, Kjærbye-Thygesen A, Mikkelsen RL, Moszkowicz M, Frøkjær VG, Vinberg M, Kessing LV, Væver MS, Miskowiak KW. Cognitive processing of infant stimuli in pregnant women with and without affective disorders and the association to postpartum depression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 42:97-109. [PMID: 33158668 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy and childbirth are among the strongest risk factors for depression but the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying this enhanced risk are unknown. This study investigated emotional and non-emotional cognition in 57 pregnant women with or without an affective disorder during their third trimester, and the association between cognitive biases and subsequent postpartum depression (PPD). Of the pregnant women, 22 had a diagnosis of unipolar disorder (UD) and seven of bipolar disorder (BD) in full or partial remission, while 28 had no history of affective disorder. We included a control group of 29 healthy non-pregnant women. First, participants were interviewed, completed non-emotional and emotional cognitive tests and lastly filled out questionnaires. The participants were assessed two times after birth: at a home visit shortly after birth, and with a telephone interview to assess PPD in the first six months after birth. Healthy pregnant women rated infant cries less negatively than non-pregnant women, possibly reflecting preparation for motherhood. Pregnant women with UD exhibited a negative bias in ratings of infant cries, whereas pregnant women with BD showed a positive bias in ratings of infant happy faces and recognition of adult facial expressions. Across all pregnant women, more negative ratings of infant cries were associated with enhanced risk of PPD. Negatively biased perception of infant cries during pregnancy may thus signal vulnerability toward PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Bjertrup
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M B Jensen
- Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M S Schjødt
- Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C E Parsons
- Interacting Minds Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A Kjærbye-Thygesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - R L Mikkelsen
- Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Moszkowicz
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center, Infant Psychiatric Unit, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Denmark
| | - V G Frøkjær
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Denmark
| | - M Vinberg
- Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - L V Kessing
- Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M S Væver
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K W Miskowiak
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Affective Disorders research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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29
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Verdon M, Rawnsley R. The Effects of Dairy Heifer Age at Training on Rate of Learning and Retention of Learning in a Virtual Fencing Feed Attractant Trial. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2020.618070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of factors that influence learning of cattle with respect to new virtual fencing technology is required to inform the development of best practice training protocols and guide the introduction of the technology to naïve dairy cattle. This experiment examined the effect of age on (1) the efficiency of associative pairing of audio and electrical stimuli in dairy heifers and (2) the retention of this associative pairing over a long period of time without use. Fifty-nine Holstein dairy heifers were used in feed attractant trials where audio cues and electrical stimuli were delivered through manually controlled training collars. Heifers were allocated to four treatments that differed in the age at which naïve animals underwent training; these were 6-months (“6M”; n = 15), 9-months (“9M”; n = 15), 12-months (“12M”; n = 15), or 22-months of age (“22M”; n = 14). Animals in the 6, 9, and 12M treatments underwent a second round of training at 22-months of age (i.e., at the same time as naïve 22M heifers). Heifers received an audio stimulus (2 s; 84 dB) when they breached a virtual fence after which a short electrical stimulus (0.5 s; 3 V, 120 mW) was administered if they continued to move forward. If the animal stopped moving forward no further stimuli were applied. There were no effects of age treatment on the total number of interactions with the virtual fence (P > 0.05). During initial training, 22M heifers received a lower proportion of electrical stimuli (i.e., responded to audio without requiring the electrical stimulus; P < 0.001) and more frequently stopped walking (P = 0.01) and turned back (P = 0.008) following administration of the audio cue compared to younger heifers. Previous training at an early age did not improve the responsiveness of heifers to virtual fencing when re-trained at 22-months of age (P > 0.05). We conclude that dairy heifers should be trained to virtual fencing technology close to calving age rather than earlier in their ontogeny and that stock be re-trained following an extended period without virtual fencing technology.
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30
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Bunderson M, Diaz D, Maupin A, Landi N, Potenza MN, Mayes LC, Rutherford HJV. Prior reproductive experience modulates neural responses to infant faces across the postpartum period. Soc Neurosci 2020; 15:650-654. [PMID: 33155504 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2020.1847729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Infant-cue processing facilitates sensitive maternal care, which is necessary in the formation of healthy mother-infant attachment. Mothers may be particularly focused on cue processing early postpartum, contributing to intense preoccupation with their infant's well-being. Prior reproductive experience, or parity, may also impact the intensity of infant-cue processing and has been found to influence P300 neural responses to infant faces during pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum. However, we do not know whether this parity effect persists. Thus, we examined the P300 to infant faces in 59 mothers at 2 and 7 months postpartum. Our main finding was that primiparous, as compared to multiparous, women showed a significantly higher P300 to infant faces across the postpartum period. Findings further emphasize the importance of studying parity and its impact on the neural processing of infant faces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Bunderson
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David Diaz
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Angela Maupin
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicole Landi
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA.,Haskins Laboratories, Yale University , New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Linda C Mayes
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
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31
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Bunderson M, Armstrong K, Mayes LC, McCrory EJ, Thompson-Booth C, Rutherford HJV. Facial recognition during early motherhood: Investigating the persistence of age and affect biases. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2020; 210:103136. [PMID: 32768610 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Converging evidence demonstrates increased levels of sensitivity to infant faces in mothers. This may be reflective of a series of psychological and neurobiological changes that occur in the transition to, and during early, parenthood for the purpose of appropriate caregiving; however, this enhanced infant facial recognition is in contrast with the general adult literature regarding facial processing. In the current study, we aimed to replicate a prior study of emotion facial recognition in pregnant women in a sample of mothers with children under a year old, utilizing a paradigm in which adult and infant faces gradually changed from neutral expressions to either happy or sad expressions. Mothers were faster at the recognition of adult faces in comparison to infant faces, and were also faster at happy faces in comparison to sad faces. Results are discussed in context of the current processing literature regarding the perinatal period, and implications for the persistence of the own-age bias and happy face advantage are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Bunderson
- Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Kathryn Armstrong
- Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Linda C Mayes
- Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Eamon J McCrory
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Chloe Thompson-Booth
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
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32
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Kim P, Tribble R, Olsavsky AK, Dufford AJ, Erhart A, Hansen M, Grande L, Gonzalez DM. Associations between stress exposure and new mothers' brain responses to infant cry sounds. Neuroimage 2020; 223:117360. [PMID: 32927083 PMCID: PMC8291268 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to severe stress has been linked to negative postpartum outcomes among new mothers including mood disorders and harsh parenting. Non-human animal studies show that stress exposure disrupts the normative adaptation of the maternal brain, thus identifying a neurobiological mechanism by which stress can lead to negative maternal outcomes. However, little is known about the impact of stress exposure on the maternal brain response to infant cues in human mothers. We examined the association of stress exposure with brain response to infant cries and maternal behaviors, in a socioeconomically diverse (low- and middle-income) sample of first-time mothers (N=53). Exposure to stress across socioeconomic, environmental, and psychosocial domains was associated with reduced brain response to infant cry sounds in several regions, including the right insula/inferior frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus. Reduced activation in these regions was further associated with lower maternal sensitivity observed during a mother-infant interaction. The findings demonstrate that higher levels of stress exposure may be associated with reduced brain response to an infant’s cry in regions that are important for emotional and social information processing, and that reduced brain responses may further be associated with increased difficulties in developing positive mother-infant relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States.
| | - Rebekah Tribble
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
| | - Aviva K Olsavsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States; University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine/Children's Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Avenue, CO 80045, United States
| | - Alexander J Dufford
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
| | - Andrew Erhart
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
| | - Melissa Hansen
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
| | - Leah Grande
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States
| | - Daniel M Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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33
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Psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the decline of maternal behavior. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:164-181. [PMID: 32569707 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The maternal behavior decline is important for the normal development of the young and the wellbeing of the mother. This paper reviews limited research on the factors and mechanisms involved in the rat maternal behavior decline and proposes a multi-level model. Framed in the parent-offspring conflict theory (an ultimate cause) and the approach-withdrawal model (a proximate cause), the maternal behavior decline is viewed as an active and effortful process, reflecting the dynamic interplay between the mother and her offspring. It is instigated by the waning of maternal motivation, coupled with the increased maternal aversion by the mother in responding to the changing sensory and motoric patterns of pup stimuli. In the decline phase, the neural circuit that mediates the inhibitory ("withdrawal") responses starts to increase activity and gain control of behavioral outputs, while the excitatory ("approach") maternal neural circuit is being inhibited or reorganized. Various hormones and certain monoamines may play a critical role in tipping the balance between the excitatory and inhibitory neural circuits to synchronize the mother-infant interaction.
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34
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Zhang K, Rigo P, Su X, Wang M, Chen Z, Esposito G, Putnick DL, Bornstein MH, Du X. Brain Responses to Emotional Infant Faces in New Mothers and Nulliparous Women. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9560. [PMID: 32533113 PMCID: PMC7293211 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66511-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The experience of motherhood is one of the most salient events in a woman’s life. Motherhood is associated with a series of neurophysiological, psychological, and behavioral changes that allow women to better adapt to their new role as mothers. Infants communicate their needs and physiological states mainly through salient emotional expressions, and maternal responses to infant signals are critical for infant survival and development. In this study, we investigated the whole brain functional response to emotional infant faces in 20 new mothers and 22 nulliparous women during functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. New mothers showed higher brain activation in regions involved in infant facial expression processing and empathic and mentalizing networks than nulliparous women. Furthermore, magnitudes of the activation of the left parahippocampal gyrus and the left fusiform gyrus, recruited during facial expression processing, were positively correlated with empathic concern (EC) scores in new mothers when viewing emotional (happy-sad) faces contrasted to neutral faces. Taken together, these results indicate that the experience of being a mother affects human brain responses in visual and social cognitive brain areas and in brain areas associated with theory-of-mind related and empathic processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihua Zhang
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Department of Physics, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Paola Rigo
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Xueyun Su
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Mengxing Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Department of Physics, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Psychology Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang, Singapore
| | - Diane L Putnick
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc H Bornstein
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Department of Physics, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
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35
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Jahnen L, Konrad K, Dahmen B, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Firk C. [The impact of adolecent motherhood on child development in preschool children- identification of maternal risk factors]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KINDER-UND JUGENDPSYCHIATRIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2020; 48:277-288. [PMID: 32301650 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The impact of adolecent motherhood on child development in preschool children- identification of maternal risk factors Abstract. Objective: This longitudinal study aims to identify relevant risk factors in adolescent mothers which might impact their child's cognitive and speech development as well as behavior problems at preschool age. Based on earlier findings, maternal sensitivity (EA), socioeconomic status (SES) and psychological stress were identified as potentially influencing factors. Method: N = 31 adolescent and N = 47 adult mothers with their children aged 3;0 to 5;9 (M = 3;55) participated in this study. Child variables included cognitive development (WPPSI-III), language development (SSV), and behavioral problems (SDQ). Maternal factors were EA, SES, and mental health problems (BSI-18). Results: Children of adolescent mothers performed worse on cognitive and speech development and are described by their mothers as exhibiting more behavioral problems compared to children of adult mothers. Mediation analyses revealed that the effect of maternal age on children's cognitive development is occurs through reduced maternal sensitivity of adolescent mothers. Further, higher psychological stress of adolescent mothers mediated the effect of maternal age on children's behavior problems. Conclusion: Preschool children of adolescent mothers showed poorer developmental outcomes compared to children of adult mothers. This is partly explained by lower maternal sensitivity and higher rates of psychological stress among adolescent mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Jahnen
- Klinische Neuropsychologie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Klinische Neuropsychologie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen.,Molekulare Neurowissenschaften und Bildgebung, Translationale Hirnforschung, Aachen & Jülich Research Alliance, JARA Brain Institut-II (INM-11) Jülich
| | - Brigitte Dahmen
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen
| | - Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen
| | - Christine Firk
- Klinische Neuropsychologie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Universitätsklinikum RWTH Aachen.,Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen, Standort Aachen
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36
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Olsavsky AK, Stoddard J, Erhart A, Tribble R, Kim P. Neural processing of infant and adult face emotion and maternal exposure to childhood maltreatment. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2020; 14:997-1008. [PMID: 31680141 PMCID: PMC7058929 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Face processing in mothers is linked to mother–infant social communication, which is critical for parenting and in turn for child development. Neuroimaging studies of child maltreatment-exposed (CME) mothers are sparse compared to studies of mothers with postpartum depression, which have suggested blunted amygdala reactivity to infant stimuli. We expected to see a similar pattern in CME mothers. Based on broader studies in trauma-exposed populations, we anticipated increased amygdala reactivity to negative adult face stimuli in a comparison task in CME mothers given heightened evaluation of potential threat. We examined Neuroimaging studies of mothers with childhood maltreatment exposure (CME) (18–37 years old), who performed infant (N = 45) and/or adult (N = 46) face processing tasks. CME mothers exhibited blunted bilateral amygdala reactivity to infant faces. There was no between-group difference in amygdala reactivity to adult faces. In infant and adult face processing tasks regardless of CME, superior temporal gyrus activation was increased for negative-valence stimuli. Our preliminary findings suggest that childhood maltreatment alters maternal processing of infant social cues, a critical skill impacting infant socioemotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviva K Olsavsky
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.,Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado
| | - Joel Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.,Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado
| | | | | | - Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.,Department of Psychology, University of Denver
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Shilton D, Breski M, Dor D, Jablonka E. Human Social Evolution: Self-Domestication or Self-Control? Front Psychol 2020; 11:134. [PMID: 32116937 PMCID: PMC7033472 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-domestication hypothesis suggests that, like mammalian domesticates, humans have gone through a process of selection against aggression - a process that in the case of humans was self-induced. Here, we extend previous proposals and suggest that what underlies human social evolution is selection for socially mediated emotional control and plasticity. In the first part of the paper we highlight general features of human social evolution, which, we argue, is more similar to that of other social mammals than to that of mammalian domesticates and is therefore incompatible with the notion of human self-domestication. In the second part, we discuss the unique aspects of human evolution and propose that emotional control and social motivation in humans evolved during two major, partially overlapping stages. The first stage, which followed the emergence of mimetic communication, the beginnings of musical engagement, and mimesis-related cognition, required socially mediated emotional plasticity and was accompanied by new social emotions. The second stage followed the emergence of language, when individuals began to instruct the imagination of their interlocutors, and to rely even more extensively on emotional plasticity and culturally learned emotional control. This account further illustrates the significant differences between humans and domesticates, thus challenging the notion of human self-domestication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dor Shilton
- The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Mati Breski
- The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Dor
- The Department of Communication, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Eva Jablonka
- The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science (CPNSS), London School of Economics, London, United Kingdom
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39
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Rutherford HJV, Mayes LC. Parenting stress: A novel mechanism of addiction vulnerability. Neurobiol Stress 2019; 11:100172. [PMID: 31193862 PMCID: PMC6543178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Addiction remains a significant public health concern. Despite numerous public health initiatives, many parents continue to use substances during the prenatal and postpartum period. While stress has been implicated in the maintenance of substance use disorders more generally, we propose that parenting stress specifically increases vulnerability to substance use in adults caring for young children. To explore this notion, we first consider the neurobiology of the adult transition to parenthood and the value of adopting a parenting-specific approach to understanding addictive processes. Next, we consider the neurobiology of addiction and parenting before directly addressing parenting stress in the context of addiction. Finally, we describe current interventions with parents that incorporate the management of negative affect to enhance caregiving quality and decrease substance use. Taken together, this article proposes that the unique demands of caring for a developing child may be more stressful above and beyond other forms of stress. As a consequence, intervention approaches that target stress in the parenting role hold promise for decreasing parental substance abuse.
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40
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Rogers FD, Bales KL. Mothers, Fathers, and Others: Neural Substrates of Parental Care. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:552-562. [PMID: 31255381 PMCID: PMC6660995 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Parental care is essential for the survival of offspring in altricial mammalian species. However, in most mammals, virgin females tend to avoid or attack infants. Moreover, most males demonstrate avoidance and aggression toward infants, and have little to no involvement in parental care. What mechanisms suppress avoidance, and support approach towards pups, to promote maternal care? In biparental and cooperatively breeding species, what mechanisms allow nonmothers (i.e., fathers and alloparents) to demonstrate parental care? In this review we consider the mechanisms that subserve parental care in mothers, fathers, and others (i.e., alloparents). We emphasize recent discoveries and research trends with particular emphasis on neuroendocrinology, neuroplasticity, transcriptomics, and epigenetics. Finally, we consider outstanding questions and outline opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest Dylan Rogers
- Graduate Program in Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Karen Lisa Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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41
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Buttitta KV, Smiley PA, Kerr ML, Rasmussen HF, Querdasi FR, Borelli JL. In a father's mind: paternal reflective functioning, sensitive parenting, and protection against socioeconomic risk. Attach Hum Dev 2019; 21:445-466. [PMID: 30990121 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1582596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study utilized attachment theory as a framework for understanding how fathers' reflective functioning (RF) and social emotional (SE) and autonomy (AU) supportive behaviors relate to children's emotion regulation (ER) beyond effects of mothers' RF. Moreover, the study explored how fathers' RF may be a protective factor against risks associated with low income. Fathers (n = 77) and their toddlers participated. Fathers' RF was coded from narrative accounts of parenting and mothers' RF was assessed by questionnaire. Fathers' SE and AU supportive behaviors were coded from observations of father-child interactions; toddlers' ER was assessed as distress on a challenging task. Results show that, after accounting for mothers' RF, fathers' RF was directly associated with SE supportive behaviors; RF moderated the association between income and AU supportive behaviors. Fathers' SE and AU supportive behaviors were associated with children's distress. Fathers' RF plays a central role in parenting and in children's ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine V Buttitta
- a Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University , Claremont , CA , USA
| | | | - Margaret L Kerr
- c Department of Human Development & Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Hannah F Rasmussen
- d Department of Psychology, University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | | | - Jessica L Borelli
- e Department of Psychological Science, University of California , Irvine , CA , USA
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42
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Glasper ER, Kenkel WM, Bick J, Rilling JK. More than just mothers: The neurobiological and neuroendocrine underpinnings of allomaternal caregiving. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 53:100741. [PMID: 30822428 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In a minority of mammalian species, mothers depend on others to help raise their offspring. New research is investigating the neuroendocrine mechanisms supporting this allomaternal behavior. Several hormones have been implicated in allomaternal caregiving; however, the role of specific hormones is variable across species, perhaps because allomothering independently evolved multiple times. Brain regions involved in maternal behavior in non-human animals, such as the medial preoptic area, are also critically involved in allomaternal behavior. Allomaternal experience modulates hormonal systems, neural plasticity, and behavioral reactivity. In humans, fatherhood-induced decreases in testosterone and increases in oxytocin may support sensitive caregiving. Fathers and mothers activate similar neural systems when exposed to child stimuli, and this can be considered a global "parental caregiving" network. Finally, early work on caregiving by non-kin (e.g., foster parents) suggests reliance on similar mechanisms as biologically-related parents. This article is part of the 'Parental Brain and Behavior' Special Issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Glasper
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - W M Kenkel
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, 150 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - J Bick
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA; Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - J K Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 207 Anthropology Building, 1557 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, PO Box 3966, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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43
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Rigo P, Kim P, Esposito G, Putnick DL, Venuti P, Bornstein MH. Specific maternal brain responses to their own child's face: An fMRI meta-analysis. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2019; 51:58-69. [PMID: 30872887 PMCID: PMC6411077 DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rigo
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2155 South Race Street, Denver, CO 80208-3500
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Diane L. Putnick
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paola Venuti
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Marc H. Bornstein
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Institute for Fiscal Studies, London, UK
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44
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Byrne SP, Mayo A, O’Hair C, Zankman M, Austin GM, Thompson-Booth C, McCrory EJ, Mayes LC, Rutherford HJ. Facial emotion recognition during pregnancy: Examining the effects of facial age and affect. Infant Behav Dev 2019; 54:108-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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45
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Marsh AA. The Caring Continuum: Evolved Hormonal and Proximal Mechanisms Explain Prosocial and Antisocial Extremes. Annu Rev Psychol 2019; 70:347-371. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Implicit in the long-standing disagreements about whether humans’ fundamental nature is predominantly caring or callous is an assumption of uniformity. This article reviews evidence that instead supports inherent variation in caring motivation and behavior. The continuum between prosocial and antisocial extremes reflects variation in the structure and function of neurohormonal systems originally adapted to motivate parental care and since repurposed to support generalized forms of care. Extreme social behaviors such as extraordinary acts of altruism and aggression can often be best understood as reflecting variation in the neural systems that support care. A review of comparative, developmental, and neurobiological research finds consistent evidence that variations in caring motivations and behavior reflect individual differences in sensitivity to cues that signal vulnerability and distress and in the tendency to generalize care outward from socially close to distant others. The often complex relationships between caring motivation and various forms of altruism and aggression are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail A. Marsh
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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46
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Elmadih A, Abumadini M. Epigenetic Transmission of Maternal Behavior: Impact on the Neurobiological System of Healthy Mothers. SAUDI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018; 7:3-8. [PMID: 30787850 PMCID: PMC6381851 DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_163_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Quality of maternal caregiving not only impacts children's development but can also result in heritable changes in gene expression (i.e., in an epigenetic manner). Consequently, when women become mothers, they adopt parenting behavior similar to that they received at family of origin. This transgenerational transmission of maternal behavior may also be associated with changes in the neurobiological system of future mothers. This review aims to highlight the effect quality of perceived parenting has on maternal behavior and the neurobiological system of mothers, specifically the oxytocin system, brain morphology and brain function. This would likely help in finding biomarkers that profile the impact of perceived parenting on mothers, and thus allow identification of mothers who experience poor-quality parenting for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alya Elmadih
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Psychiatry, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.,Centre for Women's Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mahdi Abumadini
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Psychiatry, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
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47
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Senese VP, Miranda MC, De Falco S, Venuti P, Bornstein MH. How becoming a mother shapes implicit and explicit responses to infant cues. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:950-962. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo P. Senese
- Psychometric Laboratory, Department of Psychology; University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”; Caserta Italy
| | - Maria C. Miranda
- Psychometric Laboratory, Department of Psychology; University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”; Caserta Italy
| | - Simona De Falco
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science; University of Trento; Trento Italy
| | - Paola Venuti
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science; University of Trento; Trento Italy
| | - Marc H. Bornstein
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda Maryland
- Institute for Fiscal Studies; London UK
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48
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Pratt M, Goldstein A, Feldman R. Child brain exhibits a multi-rhythmic response to attachment cues. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2018; 13:957-966. [PMID: 30085308 PMCID: PMC6137312 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsy062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on the human parental brain implicated brain networks involved in simulation, mentalization and emotion processing and indicated that stimuli of own parent-child interaction elicit greater integration among networks supporting attachment. Here, we examined children's neural activation while viewing own parent-child interactions and asked whether similar networks activate when children are exposed to attachment stimuli. Sixty-five 11-year-old children underwent magnetoencephalography (MEG) while observing own vs unfamiliar mother-child interaction. Own mother-child interactions elicited a greater neural response across distributed brain areas including alpha suppression in posterior regions, theta enhancement in the fusiform gyrus and beta- and gamma-band oscillations across a wide cluster in the right temporal cortex, comprising the superior temporal sulcus/superior temporal gyrus and insula. Theta and gamma activations were associated with the degree of mother-child social synchrony in the home ecology. Findings from this exploratory study are the first to show activations in children that are similar to previous findings in parents and comparable associations between social synchrony and gamma oscillations in temporal regions. Results indicate that attachment stimuli elicit a strong neural response in children that spreads across a wide range of oscillations, underscoring the considerable neural resources allocated to this fundamental, survival-related cue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maayan Pratt
- Department of Psychology , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Abraham Goldstein
- Department of Psychology , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Gonda Brain Sciences Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Intradisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel
- Child Study Center, Yale University
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49
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Napso T, Yong HEJ, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. The Role of Placental Hormones in Mediating Maternal Adaptations to Support Pregnancy and Lactation. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1091. [PMID: 30174608 PMCID: PMC6108594 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the mother must adapt her body systems to support nutrient and oxygen supply for growth of the baby in utero and during the subsequent lactation. These include changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune and metabolic systems of the mother. Failure to appropriately adjust maternal physiology to the pregnant state may result in pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and abnormal birth weight, which can further lead to a range of medically significant complications for the mother and baby. The placenta, which forms the functional interface separating the maternal and fetal circulations, is important for mediating adaptations in maternal physiology. It secretes a plethora of hormones into the maternal circulation which modulate her physiology and transfers the oxygen and nutrients available to the fetus for growth. Among these placental hormones, the prolactin-growth hormone family, steroids and neuropeptides play critical roles in driving maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy. This review examines the changes that occur in maternal physiology in response to pregnancy and the significance of placental hormone production in mediating such changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Napso
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah E J Yong
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Frank GKW, Favaro A, Marsh R, Ehrlich S, Lawson EA. Toward valid and reliable brain imaging results in eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 2018; 51:250-261. [PMID: 29405338 PMCID: PMC7449370 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human brain imaging can help improve our understanding of mechanisms underlying brain function and how they drive behavior in health and disease. Such knowledge may eventually help us to devise better treatments for psychiatric disorders. However, the brain imaging literature in psychiatry and especially eating disorders has been inconsistent, and studies are often difficult to replicate. The extent or severity of extremes of eating and state of illness, which are often associated with differences in, for instance hormonal status, comorbidity, and medication use, commonly differ between studies and likely add to variation across study results. Those effects are in addition to the well-described problems arising from differences in task designs, data quality control procedures, image data preprocessing and analysis or statistical thresholds applied across studies. Which of those factors are most relevant to improve reproducibility is still a question for debate and further research. Here we propose guidelines for brain imaging research in eating disorders to acquire valid results that are more reliable and clinically useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido K. W. Frank
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado,Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Angela Favaro
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rachel Marsh
- Department of Psychiatry, The New York State Psychiatric Institute and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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