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Kawachi Y, Murata A, Kitamura MS, Mugitani R. The potential role of robust face representations learned within families when searching for one's child in a crowd. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16790. [PMID: 39039112 PMCID: PMC11263366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66964-4] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Own child's face is one of the most socially salient stimuli for parents, and a faster search for it than for other children's faces may help provide warmer and more sensitive care. However, it has not been experimentally examined whether parents find their child's face faster. In addition, although own child's face is specially processed, the search time for own child's face may be similar to that for other socially salient stimuli, such as own or spouse's faces. This study tested these possibilities using a visual search paradigm. Participants (parents) searched for their child's, own, spouse's, other child's, same-sex adult's, or opposite-sex adult's faces as search targets. Our findings indicate that both mothers and fathers identified their child's face more quickly than other children's faces. Similarly, parents found their own and spouse's faces more quickly than other adults' faces. Moreover, the search time for family members' faces increased with the number of faces on the search display, suggesting an attentional serial search. These results suggest that robust face representations learned within families and close relationships can support reduced search times for family members' faces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousuke Kawachi
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University, 27-1, Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 9808576, Japan.
| | - Aiko Murata
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Atsugi, Japan
| | - Miho S Kitamura
- IdeaLab Inc., Tokyo, Japan
- Waseda Institute for Advanced Studies, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryoko Mugitani
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Atsugi, Japan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Social Sciences, Japan Women's University, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Pawluski JL. The parental brain, perinatal mental illness, and treatment: A review of key structural and functional changes. Semin Perinatol 2024:151951. [PMID: 39030131 DOI: 10.1016/j.semperi.2024.151951] [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] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The transition to parenthood is perhaps the only time in adult life when the brain changes to such a significant degree in such a short period, particularly in birthing parents. It is also a time when there is an increased risk of developing a mental illness, which may be due, in part, to the increased neuroplasticity. Thus, we must develop interventions and treatments that support parents and promote parental brain health. This review will highlight key findings from current research on how human brain structure and function are modified with 1) the transition to parenthood, 2) parenting stress and perinatal mental illness, and 3) treatments aimed at promoting perinatal mental health. The focus will be on birthing parents and mothers, but brain changes in non-birthing parents will also be discussed. Improvements in our understanding of the parental brain, in health and with illness, will promote the well-being of generations to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000, Rennes, France.
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3
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Bergman NJ. New policies on skin-to-skin contact warrant an oxytocin-based perspective on perinatal health care. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1385320. [PMID: 39049943 PMCID: PMC11267429 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1385320] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a Global Position Paper on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), which is applicable to all countries worldwide: from the moment of birth, every "small and sick" newborn should remain with mother in immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact (SSC), receiving all required clinical care in that place. This was prompted by the startling results of a randomized controlled trial published in 2021: in which 1,609 infants receiving immediate SSC were compared with 1,602 controls that were separated from their mothers but otherwise received identical conventional state-of-the-art care. The intervention infants showed a 25% reduction in mortality after 28 days. New perspectives The new WHO guidelines are a significant change from earlier guidance and common clinical practice. The author presents that separating mothers and babies is assumed to be "normal" (a paradigm) but actually puts newborns at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. The author presents arguments and ethical perspectives for a new perspective on what is "normal," keeping newborns with their mothers is the infant's physiological expectation and critical requirement for healthy development. The author reviews the scientific rationale for changing the paradigm, based on synchronous interactions of oxytocin on both mother and infant. This follows a critique of the new policies that highlights the role of immediate SSC. Actionable recommendations This critique strengthens the case for implementing the WHO guidelines on KMC for small and sick babies. System changes will be necessary in both obstetric and neonatal settings to ensure seamless perinatal care. Based on the role of oxytocin, the author identifies that many current routine care practices may actually contribute to stress and increased vulnerability to the newborn. WHO has actionable recommendations about family involvement and presence in newborn intensive care units. Discussion The concepts of resilience and vulnerability have specific definitions well known in perinatal care: the key outcome of care should be resilience rather than merely the absence of vulnerability. Newborns in all settings and contexts need us to re-evaluate our paradigms and adopt and implement the new WHO guidelines on KMC in perinatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils J. Bergman
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Witchey S, Haupt A, Caldwell HK. Oxytocin receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell are necessary for the onset of maternal behavior. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1356448. [PMID: 39015375 PMCID: PMC11250266 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1356448] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In rodents, oxytocin (Oxt) contributes to the onset of maternal care by shifting the perception of pups from aversive to attractive. Both Oxt receptor knockout (Oxtr -/-) and forebrain-specific Oxtr knockout (FB/FB) dams abandon their first litters, likely due to a failure of the brain to 'switch' to a more maternal state. Whether this behavioral shift is neurochemically similar in virgin females, who can display maternal behaviors when repeatedly exposed to pups, or what neuroanatomical substrate is critical for the onset of maternal care remains unknown. To understand similarities and differences in Oxtr signaling in virgin pup-sensitized Oxtr FB/FB as opposed to post-parturient Oxtr -/- and Oxtr FB/FB dams, maternal behavior (pup-sensitized females only) and immediate early gene activation were assessed. Pup-sensitized Oxtr FB/FB females retrieved pups faster on day one of testing and had reduced c-Fos expression in the dorsal lateral septum as compared to virgin pup-sensitized Oxtr +/+ females. This differs from what was observed in post-parturient Oxtr -/- and Oxtr FB/FB dams, where increased c-Fos expression was observed in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) shell. Based on these data, we then disrupted Oxtr signaling in the NAcc shell or the posterior paraventricular thalamus (pPVT) (control region) of female Oxtr floxed mice using a Cre recombinase expressing adeno-associated virus. Knockout of the Oxtr only in the NAcc shell prevented the onset of maternal care post-parturient females. Our data suggest that a pup-sensitized brain may differ from a post-parturient brain and that Oxtr signaling in the NAcc shell is critical to the onset of maternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannah Witchey
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Behavior, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Alexandra Haupt
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Behavior, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
- School of Biomedical Sciences and the Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Heather K. Caldwell
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Behavior, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
- School of Biomedical Sciences and the Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
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Li M. Roadmap for maternal behavior research in domestic dogs: lessons from decades of laboratory rodent work. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1394201. [PMID: 38993275 PMCID: PMC11236756 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1394201] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal behavior research in laboratory rats has revealed important behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms governing the onset, maintenance and decline of maternal behavior. However, the extent to which these mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved across species is less clear. This manuscript proposes that examining these mechanisms in dogs may be a viable approach to test their generality and help bridge the gap between rodent and human research, as domestic dogs show greater individual differences and exhibit more human-like maternal characteristics than rodents. These aspects represent advantages over rodent models, which in turn allow systems biological approaches not available in rodents. Additionally, domestic dogs share similar social environments with humans, suffer from the same mental disorders as humans, and can be treated with the same medications. This paper begins with a summary of key findings and theoretical developments from decades of rat maternal behavior research, followed by a literature review of the extant maternal behavior research on dogs and related methodology, highlighting the unique behavioral characteristics of dog maternal behavior and similarities and differences from rat maternal behavior. Finally, several knowledge gaps in dog maternal behavior research, as well as the future research in this area is discussed. It concludes that research on dog maternal behavior will not only advance our understanding of the universality of the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms in maternal behavior, but also improve our understanding of risk factors associated with postpartum mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Dufford A, Patterson G, Kim P. Longitudinal Neuroanatomical Increases from Early to One-Year Postpartum. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4432804. [PMID: 38883787 PMCID: PMC11178002 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4432804/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Preclinical studies have provided causal evidence that the postpartum period involves regional neuroanatomical changes in 'maternal' brain regions to support the transition to offspring caregiving. Few studies, in humans, have examined neuroanatomical changes from early to one-year postpartum with longitudinal neuroimaging data and their association with postpartum mood changes. In this study, we examined longitudinal changes in surface morphometry (cortical thickness and surface area) in regions previously implicated in the transition to parenthood. We also examined longitudinal volumetric neuroanatomical changes in three subcortical regions of the maternal brain: the hippocampus, amygdala, and ventral diencephalon. Twenty-four participants underwent longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging at 2-4 weeks and 1 year postpartum. Cortical thickness increased from early to one-year postpartum in the left (p = .003, Bonferroni corrected) and right (p = .02, Bonferroni corrected) superior frontal gyrus. No significant increases (or decreases) were observed in these regions for surface area. Volumetric increases, across the postpartum period, were found in the left amygdala (p = .001, Bonferroni corrected) and right ventral diencephalon (p = .01, Bonferroni corrected). An exploratory analysis of depressive symptoms found reductions in depressive symptoms from early postpartum to one-year postpartum were associated with greater cortical thickness in the superior frontal gyrus for both the left (p = .02) and right (p = .02) hemispheres. The findings expand our evidence of the neuroanatomical changes that occur across the postpartum period in humans and motivate future studies to examine how mood changes across this period are associated with cortical thickness of the superior frontal gyrus.
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Wang T, Li Q, Zhang S, Liu H, Jian W, Guo J. Patterns of gender inequality perception and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults: The mediating role of marital life satisfaction. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:634-641. [PMID: 38492649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.041] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As one of the most severe public health issues, depressive symptoms have attracted wide attention around the world. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of marital life satisfaction in the relationship between gender inequality perception and depressive symptoms. METHODS Data were obtained from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted in 2020. This study incorporated a total of 13,409 married residents aged 20 and above. RESULTS The residents with middle (B = 0.19, 95 % CI = 0.01, 0.40) or high perception of gender inequality (B = 0.55, 95 % CI = 0.34, 0.75) were more likely to develop depressive symptoms. Marital life satisfaction plays a mediating effect in the relationship between patterns of gender inequality perception and depressive symptoms, and the mediating effect accounted for 4.89 % or 1.37 % of the total impact in the residents with middle or high patterns of gender inequality perception. LIMITATIONS Further studies need to understand the mechanisms of perceived patterns of gender inequality and depressive symptoms, because the cross-sectional design in this study cannot draw causal inferences. CONCLUSION Patterns of gender inequality perception are significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Marital life satisfaction plays a mediating role in the relationship between patterns of gender inequality perception and depressive symptoms. It is plausible that nurturing healthy marital relationships could mitigate depressive symptoms in individuals who perceive high degrees of gender disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaosheng Li
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shouchuang Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haoran Liu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiyan Jian
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Orchard ER, Chopra S, Ooi LQR, Chen P, An L, Jamadar SD, Yeo BTT, Rutherford HJV, Holmes AJ. Protective role of parenthood on age-related brain function in mid- to late-life. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592382. [PMID: 38746272 PMCID: PMC11092769 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The experience of parenthood can profoundly alter one's body, mind, and environment, yet we know little about the long-term associations between parenthood and brain function and aging in adulthood. Here, we investigate the link between number of children parented (parity) and age on brain function in 19,964 females and 17,607 males from the UK Biobank. In both females and males, increased parity was positively associated with functional connectivity, particularly within the somato/motor network. Critically, the spatial topography of parity-linked effects was inversely correlated with the impact of age on functional connectivity across the brain for both females and males, suggesting that a higher number of children is associated with patterns of brain function in the opposite direction to age-related alterations. These results indicate that the changes accompanying parenthood may confer benefits to brain health across the lifespan, highlighting the importance of future work to understand the associated mechanisms.
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9
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Bjertrup AJ, Jahn FS, Schütt Hansen L, Miskowiak KW. Affective cognition in response to infant stimuli in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. Women Health 2024; 64:427-439. [PMID: 38804120 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2349562] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Physiological, neurocognitive, and psychological changes facilitates adaptation to motherhood. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women in affective cognitive and psychophysiological responses to infant stimuli. We hypothesized that pregnant women would display (I) reduced negative emotional reactivity and perception of distressed infant stimuli, (II) increased attention toward infants compared to adults, and (III) greater psychophysiological response to infant distress. The sample comprised 22 pregnant women (22-38 weeks gestation) and 18 non-pregnant nulliparous women. Four computerized tasks were administered to measure affective cognitive processing of infant stimuli, while recording facial expressions, electrodermal activity, and eye gazes. Results indicated that pregnant women exhibited fewer negative facial expressions, reported less frustration when exposed to distressed infant cries, and showed greater attention to emotional infant faces compared to non-pregnant women, but the differences did not remain statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. No differences were observed in psychophysiological responses. The findings indicate a possible pregnancy-mediated effect regarding the cognitive processing of infant stimuli, potentially as preparation for motherhood. Future research with larger samples and longitudinal design is needed to understand the predictors, timing, and plasticity of cognitive changes during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Juul Bjertrup
- Neurocognition and Emotion in Affective Disorders (NEAD) Centre, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frida Simon Jahn
- Neurocognition and Emotion in Affective Disorders (NEAD) Centre, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Schütt Hansen
- Neurocognition and Emotion in Affective Disorders (NEAD) Centre, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak
- Neurocognition and Emotion in Affective Disorders (NEAD) Centre, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Stafford L, Munns L, Crossland AE, Kirk E, Preston CEJ. Bonding with bump: Interoceptive sensibility moderates the relationship between pregnancy body satisfaction and antenatal attachment. Midwifery 2024; 131:103940. [PMID: 38335693 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103940] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PROBLEM There is limited understanding and contradictory results regarding the contribution of the pregnant bodily experience to antenatal attachment. BACKGROUND Antenatal attachment is an important aspect of pregnancy, which has been linked with positive maternal and infant outcomes. Given the profound physical process of pregnancy, it is likely that bodily experience is implicated in antenatal attachment, with research supporting the involvement of pregnancy body (dis)satisfaction. However, previous research reveals conflicting results and has only focused on exteroceptive bodily experience (appearance) rather than internal physiological sensations (interoception). AIM To examine the relative contributions of both external and internal bodily experience in antenatal attachment. METHODS This cross-sectional study collected online survey data from 159 pregnant participants with measures capturing interoceptive sensibility (subjective experience of interoception), pregnancy body dissatisfaction and antenatal attachment. FINDINGS We replicated previous findings that pregnancy body dissatisfaction is related to antenatal attachment. However, the relationship between pregnancy body dissatisfaction and antenatal attachment was moderated by worry about interoceptive signals. The interoceptive construct of body trust was most strongly associated with antenatal attachment. DISCUSSION The results suggest that interoception is important for antenatal attachment, particularly feelings of body trust. Moreover, for individuals who were less worried about bodily sensations, high levels of body dissatisfaction were associated with low attachment scores, whilst for those who were more concerned about these sensations, the relationship between body dissatisfaction and antenatal attachment was mitigated. CONCLUSION The results suggest that focusing on internal sensations may be a protective strategy against pregnancy body dissatisfaction to strengthen maternal bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Stafford
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia Munns
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Anna E Crossland
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Kirk
- Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Kurata S, Nishitani S, Kawata NYS, Yao A, Fujisawa TX, Okazawa H, Tomoda A. Diffusion tensor imaging of white-matter structural features of maltreating mothers and their associations with intergenerational chain of childhood abuse. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5671. [PMID: 38453944 PMCID: PMC10920819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53666-0] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Child abuse causes lifelong adverse outcomes for both physical and mental health, although many are resilient. Efforts to prevent this issue from the parental side require an understanding of the neurobiological basis that leads abusive parents to perpetrate abuse and the influence of the intergenerational chain of childhood abuse. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the brain white-matter fiber structures between 11 maltreating mothers who had been recognized as having conducted child abuse prior to the intervention and 40 age-matched control mothers using tract-based spatial statistics. There was a significantly reduced axial diffusivity (AD) and a similar trend in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right corticospinal tract in maltreating mothers compared to control mothers. Therefore, maltreating mothers may have excessive control over the forcefulness of voluntary movements. These features also decreased as the number of childhood abuse experiences increased, suggesting that an intergenerational chain of child abuse may also be involved. Other aspects observed were that the higher the current depressive symptoms, the lower the AD and FA values; however, they were not related to parental practice or empathy. These results corroborate the neurobiological features that perpetrate behaviors in abusive mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawa Kurata
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Shota Nishitani
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.
- Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
- University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan.
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
| | - Natasha Y S Kawata
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Akiko Yao
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Takashi X Fujisawa
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
- Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Okazawa
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.
- Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
- University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan.
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
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Iyengar U, Hunt J. An Open Conversation About Postpartum Psychosis: An Interview with Jessie Hunt: Communications Lead, Advocate, and Expert by Experience. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2024; 97:107-112. [PMID: 38559459 PMCID: PMC10964824 DOI: 10.59249/pwxz3821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum psychosis is a mental illness that is often misunderstood and stigmatized and can have a devastating impact on the women affected and their families, particularly when not identified and treated early on. The first-person perspective of experiencing a mental illness such as postpartum psychosis is remarkably powerful and can shed light on some of the hidden or misunderstood aspects of diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and getting support. With this in mind, we have prepared this interview from both an academic and lived experience perspective of postpartum psychosis, for clinicians, academics, mental health professionals, and members of the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udita Iyengar
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
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13
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Iyengar U, Heller-Bhatt J. Hope amidst crisis: exploring perinatal mental health and family dynamics in out-of-home care through virtual assessments during the UK COVID-19 response. Front Glob Womens Health 2024; 5:1343944. [PMID: 38410822 PMCID: PMC10895019 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1343944] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Caring for a young child exposed to early trauma, along with caregiving stress and heightened by the impact of lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 response, may compromise the development of the parent-child relationship. Understanding a foster carer's attachment history and considering relational dynamics through an attachment lens may shed light on areas they need support in, to enhance their parenting capacity for vulnerable children. The feasibility of collecting and coding observational data and attachment interviews of foster carers and their children, when conducted remotely during COVID-19, needs to be explored. This perspective piece considers the impact on infant and perinatal health in the context of COVID-19 with particular emphasis on relational dynamics and attachment assessments, using a case study of a foster carer and her child in an out-of-home-care placement. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of both caregivers and vulnerable children during this challenging time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udita Iyengar
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Heller-Bhatt
- Attachment Based Training, Denmark, WA, Australia
- The Harvest Clinic, Kin Kin, QLD, Australia
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14
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Vitor-de-Lima SM, Figueira de Oliveira ML, Tavares IDS, Leandro CVG, Guedes RCA. Maternal voluntary physical exercise in the adult rat: evidence of exercise-associated differences in maternal food intake, and in brain effects on the progeny. Nutr Neurosci 2024; 27:120-131. [PMID: 36633889 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2023.2166415] [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] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Maternal physical activity may impact behavioral and electrophysiological aspects of brain function, with short- and long-term effects on pre- and postnatal neurodevelopment of the offspring. This study evaluated in the rat the effects of maternal voluntary physical activity (MVPA) on food intake and weight gain in the dams, as well as anxiety-like behavior, short-term memory and the brain excitability-related phenomenon known as cortical spreading depression (CSD) on the mother-pup dyad.Methods: Female Wistar rats (n=33) were individually housed in cages containing a running wheel for a 30-days adaptation period before mating. Rats were classified as inactive (I); active (A) or very active (VA) according to the distance spontaneously travelled daily. During gestation, the dams continued to have access to the running wheel. Mothers and their respective pups (1 pup per mother) were evaluated in the open field test (OFT), object recognition test (ORT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and the CSD propagation features.Results: MVPA was directly associated with increased food intake and weight gain during gestation, and maternal anxiolytic-like behavioral responses in the OFT. Pups from VA mothers showed a high discrimination index for shape recognition memory (ORT) and decreased propagation velocities of CSD, when compared with the inactive group.Discussion: The data suggest that MVPA during the gestational period induces neuroplasticity and may modulate the brain functions in the mother-infant dyad in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carol Virgínia Góis Leandro
- Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Nutrition, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
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15
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Zagoory-Sharon O, Yirmiya K, Peleg I, Shimon-Raz O, Sanderlin R, Feldman R. Breast milk oxytocin and s-IgA modulate infant biomarkers and social engagement; The role of maternal anxiety. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 17:100219. [PMID: 38187086 PMCID: PMC10765300 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Breastfeeding has long been known to improve infants' health and mental development and to enhance the mother-infant bond, but much less research focused on the biological composition of breast milk and its associations with the infant's biomarkers and social development. In this exploratory study, we measured oxytocin (OT) and secretory immunoglobulin-A (s-IgA), the most abundant antibody in breast milk, and evaluated their associations with the same biomarkers in infant saliva and, consequently, with infant social engagement behavior. Fifty-five mother-infant dyads were home-visit and OT and s-IgA were assessed from breast milk and from infant saliva before and after a free-play interaction. Infant social behavior was coded offline using the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) and maternal anxiety self-reported. A path model revealed that mother's breast milk s-IgA impacted child social engagement via its links with child OT. In parallel, maternal breast milk OT was linked with infant social behavior through its association with the infant's immunity. This path was moderated by maternal anxiety; only in cases of high anxiety breast milk OT was positively connected to infant s-IgA. Our study, the first to measure OT and s-IgA in both breast milk and infant saliva in relation to observed social behavior, underscores the need for much further research on the dynamic interplay between breast milk composition, infant biomarkers, maternal mental health, and infant social outcomes. Results may suggest that biological systems in breast milk integrate to prepare infants to function in their social ecology through bio-behavioral feedback loops that signal the degree of stress in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Itai Peleg
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Reichman University, Israel
| | - Ortal Shimon-Raz
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Reichman University, Israel
| | - Rachel Sanderlin
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Reichman University, Israel
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Reichman University, Israel
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16
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Schneider I, Herpertz SC, Ueltzhöffer K, Neukel C. Stress and reward in the maternal brain of mothers with borderline personality disorder: a script-based fMRI study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:117-127. [PMID: 37354380 PMCID: PMC10786970 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01634-6] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with altered neural activity in regions of salience and emotion regulation. An exaggerated sensitization to emotionally salient situations, increased experience of emotions, and dysfunctional regulative abilities could be reasons for increased distress also during parenting. Mothers with BPD tend to have less reciprocal mother-child interactions (MCI) and reveal altered cortisol and oxytocin reactivity in the interaction with their child, which could indicate altered processing of stress and reward. Here, we studied underlying neural mechanisms of disrupted MCI in BPD. Twenty-five mothers with BPD and 28 healthy mothers participated in a script-driven imagery functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-paradigm. Scripts described stressful or rewarding MCI with the own child, or situations in which the mother was alone. Mothers with BPD showed larger activities in the bilateral insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared to healthy mothers during the imagination of MCI and non-MCI. Already in the precursory phase while listening to the scripts, a similar pattern emerged with stronger activity in the left anterior insula (AINS), but not in the ACC. This AINS activity correlated negatively with the quality of real-life MCI for mothers with BPD. Mothers with BPD reported lower affect and higher arousal. An exaggerated sensitization to different, emotionally salient situations together with dysfunctional emotion regulation abilities, as reflected by increased insula and ACC activity, might hinder sensitive maternal behavior in mothers with BPD. These results underline the importance for psychotherapeutic interventions to improve emotional hyperarousal and emotion regulation in patients with BPD, especially in affected mothers caring for young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Schneider
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Ueltzhöffer
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstr. 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corinne Neukel
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Manzotti A, Panisi C, Pivotto M, Vinciguerra F, Benedet M, Brazzoli F, Zanni S, Comassi A, Caputo S, Cerritelli F, Chiera M. An in-depth analysis of the polyvagal theory in light of current findings in neuroscience and clinical research. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22450. [PMID: 38388187 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22450] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The polyvagal theory has led to the understanding of the functions of the autonomic nervous system in biological development in humans, since the vagal system, a key structure within the polyvagal theory, plays a significant role in addressing challenges of the mother-child dyad. This article aims to summarize the neurobiological aspects of the polyvagal theory, highlighting some of its strengths and limitations through the lens of new evidence emerging in several research fields-including comparative anatomy, embryology, epigenetics, psychology, and neuroscience-in the 25 years since the theory's inception. Rereading and incorporating the polyvagal idea in light of modern scientific findings helps to interpret the role of the vagus nerve through the temporal dimension (beginning with intrauterine life) and spatial dimension (due to the numerous connections of the vagus with various structures and systems) in the achievement and maintenance of biopsychosocial well-being, from the uterus to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Manzotti
- Division of Neonatology, "V. Buzzi" Children's Hospital, ASST-FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Panisi
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Micol Pivotto
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Benedet
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Zanni
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Comassi
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Caputo
- Research Department, SOMA Istituto Osteopatia Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerritelli
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
| | - Marco Chiera
- RAISE Lab, Clinical-Based Human Research Department, Foundation COME Collaboration, Pescara, Italy
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18
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Shenoy S, Ibrahim S. Perinatal Depression and the Role of Synaptic Plasticity in Its Pathogenesis and Treatment. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:942. [PMID: 37998688 PMCID: PMC10669186 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110942] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that synaptic plasticity is significantly involved in the pathophysiology and treatment of perinatal depression. Animal models have demonstrated the effects of overstimulated or weakened synapses in various circuits of the brain in causing affective disturbances. GABAergic theory of depression, stress, and the neuroplasticity model of depression indicate the role of synaptic plasticity in the pathogenesis of depression. Multiple factors related to perinatal depression like hormonal shifts, newer antidepressants, mood stabilizers, monoamine systems, biomarkers, neurotrophins, cytokines, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy have demonstrated direct and indirect effects on synaptic plasticity. In this review, we discuss and summarize the various patho-physiology-related effects of synaptic plasticity in depression. We also discuss the association of treatment-related aspects related to psychotropics, electroconvulsive therapy, neuromodulation, psychotherapy, physical exercise and yoga with synaptic plasticity in perinatal depression. Future insights into newer methods of treatment directed towards the modulation of neuroplasticity for perinatal depression will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Shenoy
- Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India;
| | - Sufyan Ibrahim
- Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
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19
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Sandoval IK, Ngoh G, Wu J, Crowley MJ, Rutherford HJV. EEG coherence before and after giving birth. Brain Res 2023; 1816:148468. [PMID: 37336317 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148468] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy and the postpartum period, changes in brain volume and in motivational, sensory, cognitive, and emotional processes have been described. However, to date, longitudinal modifications of brain function have been understudied. To explore regional cortical coupling, in pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum, we analyzed resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence in the delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, and beta2 frequency bands across frontal and parietal regions of the maternal brain (Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, P3, and P4). We found that from pregnancy to the postpartum period, mothers showed less intrahemispheric EEG coherence between the frontal and parietal regions in the alpha1 and alpha2 bands, as well as greater interhemispheric EEG coherence between frontopolar regions in the beta2 band. These changes suggest decreased inhibition of neural circuits. These neurophysiological changes may represent an adaptive process characteristic of motherhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gwendolyn Ngoh
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jia Wu
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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20
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Servin-Barthet C, Martínez-García M, Pretus C, Paternina-Die M, Soler A, Khymenets O, Pozo ÓJ, Leuner B, Vilarroya O, Carmona S. The transition to motherhood: linking hormones, brain and behaviour. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:605-619. [PMID: 37612425 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
We are witnessing a stark increase in scientific interest in the neurobiological processes associated with pregnancy and maternity. Convergent evidence suggests that around the time of labour, first-time mothers experience a specific pattern of neuroanatomical changes that are associated with maternal behaviour. Here we provide an overview of the human neurobiological adaptations of motherhood, focusing on the interplay between pregnancy-related steroid and peptide hormones, and neuroplasticity in the brain. We discuss which brain plasticity mechanisms might underlie the structural changes detected by MRI, which hormonal systems are likely to contribute to such neuroanatomical changes and how these brain mechanisms may be linked to maternal behaviour. This Review offers an overarching framework that can serve as a roadmap for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Servin-Barthet
- Unitat de Recerca en Neurociència Cognitiva, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Pretus
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de els Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Paternina-Die
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Soler
- Unitat de Recerca en Neurociència Cognitiva, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Óscar J Pozo
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- Psychology Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Oscar Vilarroya
- Unitat de Recerca en Neurociència Cognitiva, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Susana Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Hiraoka D, Makita K, Sakakibara N, Morioka S, Orisaka M, Yoshida Y, Tomoda A. Longitudinal changes in attention bias to infant crying in primiparous mothers. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1192275. [PMID: 37809040 PMCID: PMC10556249 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1192275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Infant stimuli attract caregiver attention and motivate parenting behavior. Studies have confirmed the existence of attentional bias toward infant face stimuli; however, relatively little is known about whether attentional bias exists for infant cry stimuli, which are as important as faces in child-rearing situations. Furthermore, scarce longitudinal evidence exists on how attentional bias toward infant crying changes through the postpartum period. Methods In the present study, we conducted an experiment to assess bias toward infant crying at two postpartum time points: at Time 1 (Mean = 75.24 days), 45 first-time mothers participated and at Time 2 (Mean = 274.33 days), 30 mothers participated. At both time points, the mothers participated in a Stroop task with infant crying and white noise as the stimuli. They were instructed to answer the color out loud as quickly and accurately as possible, while ignoring the sound. Four types of audio stimuli were used in this task (the cry of the mother's own infant, the cry of an unfamiliar infant, white noise matched to the cry of the mother's own infant, and white noise matched to the cry of an unfamiliar infant), one of which was presented randomly before each trial. Response time and the correct response rate for each condition were the dependent variables. Results For response time, the main effect of familiarity was significant, with longer response times when the participant's infant's cry was presented. In addition, response times were lower at Time 2 than at Time 1 in some conditions in which crying was presented. Discussion The results suggest that mothers may be less disturbed by infant crying as they gain more experience. Elucidating the characteristics of postpartum mothers' changes in cognitive performance related to infants' cries would be useful in fundamental and applied research to understand the process of parents' adaptation to parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Hiraoka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kai Makita
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Nobuko Sakakibara
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Shigemi Morioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukui Aiiku Hospital, Fukui, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Orisaka
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yoshida
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Fukui, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
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22
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Schneider I, Zietlow AL. [The parent-child relationship in the context of parental mental illness-Possibilities for intervention]. DER NERVENARZT 2023; 94:822-826. [PMID: 37171658 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01491-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The parent-child relationship is the earliest and one of the most important close social relationships in a person's life. It begins even during pregnancy, is expressed in interactions and is accompanied by many neurobiological processes. A sensitive interaction with the parent who is well-adapted to the needs of the child, is necessary for a healthy child development; however, parents with mental disorders often face more difficulties in parenting than healthy parents. They tend to exhibit more intrusive or withdrawn behavior and report experiencing increased stress in parenting, which in turn can be a risk factor for the mental disorder. At the same time, parenting can be a great resource. Early recognition of stress in parenting is central to healthy child development and also to the parent's mental health. In addition to disorder-specific treatment for parents, parent-child focused interventions can be used in relationship or interaction disorders. This article presents and discusses different prevention and intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Schneider
- Klinik für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Voßstraße 4, 69115, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
| | - Anna-Lena Zietlow
- Klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie, Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Straße 46a, 01187, Dresden, Deutschland
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23
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Yarmolovsky J, Sabag M, Lipschits O, Geva R. Parents regulate arousal while sharing experiences with their child: a study of pupil diameter change responses. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1177687. [PMID: 37397856 PMCID: PMC10312006 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1177687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Parents provide their children with their first exposures to reciprocal shared experiences, and parental modeling of socio-emotional behaviors and regulatory responses largely influences their child's behavioral and neurological development. Some parental reactions are conscious, while others are non-volitional. This project aimed to explore parent-child pupil dilation change responses during shared interactions, specifically, whether parents' neuro-regulatory responses when sharing experiences with their child are different than responses of children interacting with their parents or children and adult peers sharing with each other. Methods To test this, four distinct interacting groups were recruited: (1) Parents sharing with their child; (2) Children sharing with their parent; (3) Children sharing with peers; and (4) Adults sharing with peers. All dyads engaged in a computerized shared imagery task, which facilitates communication and mental imagery during a shared experience. During the task, pupil diameter change was recorded as a measure of regulatory response. Results Findings highlight that parents sharing with their child have lower pupil diameter change than children sharing with their parents (p < 0.01), children sharing with peers (p < 0.01), and adults sharing with peers (p < 0.05), While no differences were seen between children sharing with parents, children sharing with peers or adults sharing with peers. Discussion Findings deepen the understanding of the neuroscience of parenting, by suggesting that parents, even of older children and adolescents, tend to regulate their arousal when interacting with their child, a response that proves to be unique compared to other dyad types for sharing experiences. Considering this dynamic, findings may direct future parent-led intervention methods to improve the child's socio-emotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Yarmolovsky
- The Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Maya Sabag
- The Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Susan Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Or Lipschits
- The Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Susan Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ronny Geva
- The Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, The Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Susan Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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24
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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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25
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Orchard ER, Voigt K, Chopra S, Thapa T, Ward PGD, Egan GF, Jamadar SD. The maternal brain is more flexible and responsive at rest: effective connectivity of the parental caregiving network in postpartum mothers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4719. [PMID: 36959247 PMCID: PMC10036465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31696-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of neuroscience has largely overlooked the impact of motherhood on brain function outside the context of responses to infant stimuli. Here, we apply spectral dynamic causal modelling (spDCM) to resting-state fMRI data to investigate differences in brain function between a group of 40 first-time mothers at 1-year postpartum and 39 age- and education-matched women who have never been pregnant. Using spDCM, we investigate the directionality (top-down vs. bottom-up) and valence (inhibition vs excitation) of functional connections between six key left hemisphere brain regions implicated in motherhood: the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens. We show a selective modulation of inhibitory pathways related to differences between (1) mothers and non-mothers, (2) the interactions between group and cognitive performance and (3) group and social cognition, and (4) differences related to maternal caregiving behaviour. Across analyses, we show consistent disinhibition between cognitive and affective regions suggesting more efficient, flexible, and responsive behaviour, subserving cognitive performance, social cognition, and maternal caregiving. Together our results support the interpretation of these key regions as constituting a parental caregiving network. The nucleus accumbens and the parahippocampal gyrus emerging as 'hub' regions of this network, highlighting the global importance of the affective limbic network for maternal caregiving, social cognition, and cognitive performance in the postpartum period.
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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
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katharina Voigt
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, 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
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tribikram Thapa
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, 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
| | - 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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Stoodley C, McKellar L, Ziaian T, Steen M, Fereday J, Gwilt I. The role of midwives in supporting the development of the mother-infant relationship: a scoping review. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:71. [PMID: 36918968 PMCID: PMC10015829 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01092-8] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mother-infant relationship is complex and dynamic, informing the psychological development of the infant through bonding and attachment. Positive early interactions influence the quality of this relationship. Midwives are well placed to support the developing relationship between the mother and baby, yet there has been limited research exploring the role of the midwife in this context. AIM To explore interventions that have been provided by the midwife which support the development of the maternal-fetal or mother-infant relationship amongst a low-risk population from pregnancy, and up to six weeks postnatal. The review also sought to understand the types of interventions developed, format and delivery, outcomes measured and if cultural considerations had been incorporated. METHODS A scoping review of the research literature was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. Five online databases were searched for relevant articles published in English from 2000 to 2021. FINDINGS Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Three themes emerged: (1) viewing the fetus as separate from the mother, (2) focused activities on the maternal-infant relationship and (3) targeted educational interventions. DISCUSSION Providing focused activities and targeted education during the pre and postnatal periods support the development of the mother-infant relationship. Significantly, there was insufficient research that considered the influence of culture in supporting the mother-infant relationship. CONCLUSION Further research is required to develop interventions that include a diverse sample to ensure culturally appropriate activities can be integrated into care during pregnancy and/or the postnatal period provided by midwives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Stoodley
- University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Lois McKellar
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Tahereh Ziaian
- University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mary Steen
- University of Northumbria, Newcastle, England
| | | | - Ian Gwilt
- University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia
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27
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Yang W, Jiang Y, Ma L, Xiao M, Liu M, Ren Z, Hu L, Zhang Y. Cortical and subcortical morphological alterations in postpartum depression. Behav Brain Res 2023; 447:114414. [PMID: 37001820 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common postpartum psychiatric disorder, which can negatively affect both mothers and their offspring. Although the functional changes of PPD have been extensively studied, little is known about its structural abnormalities. This study aimed to examine the cortical and subcortical morphological abnormalities in PPD. High resolution T1 structural MRI data of 29 PPD women and 23 matched healthy postpartum women (HPW) were included in this study. Using surface-based morphometry, we examined the differences between the PPD and HPW group in the cortical thickness, local gyrification index and shape changes of deep gray matter nuclei. Compared with the HPW group, women with PPD showed significantly increased cortical thickness in the left superior frontal gyrus, cuneus and right lingual gyrus and fusiform gyrus, which correlated marginally with the EPDS scores of these subjects. In addition, women with PPD showed significant regional inflation in the right pallidum compared with the HPW group. These findings provided further evidence for the structural brain abnormalities in PPD.
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28
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Hoegholt NF, Buus S, Fernandes HM, Sui J, Vuust P, Kringelbach ML. On screen experiment showed that becoming a parent for the first time shifted people's priorities from themselves to their infant at 1 year of age. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:85-92. [PMID: 36181725 PMCID: PMC10092687 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study used a screen-based perceptual matching task to see how non-parents, people trying to get pregnant, and those who had given birth prioritised shapes and labels relating to self or infant conditions. METHODS The study took place at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark from December 2016 to November 2021. Recruitment methods included family planning clinics, social media, online recruitment systems and local bulletin boards. The modified perceptual matching task linked five shapes to five labels, including self and infant. RESULTS We found that 67 males and females with a mean age of 24.4 ± 3 years, who had no plans to become parents in the near future, reacted faster and more accurately to self-shapes and labels (p < 0.001), which validated the experiment. The 56 participants aged 27.1 ± 4.4 years who were actively trying to become parents showed no statistically significant prioritisation. A subset of 21 participants aged 28.7 ± 4.4 years showed faster response times to infant than self-shapes and labels 1 year after giving birth (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Healthy first-time parents showed faster reactions to infant than self-conditions 1 year after giving birth, in contrast to the other two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia F Hoegholt
- Emergency Department at Regionshospitalet Randers, Randers, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Svend Buus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrique M Fernandes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jie Sui
- School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Kings College, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Peter Vuust
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten L Kringelbach
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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29
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Chin JH, Haring KS, Kim P. Understanding the neural mechanisms of empathy toward robots to shape future applications. Front Neurorobot 2023; 17:1145989. [PMID: 37125225 PMCID: PMC10130423 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2023.1145989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview on how modern neuroscience evaluations link to robot empathy. It evaluates the brain correlates of empathy and caregiving, and how they may be related to the higher functions with an emphasis on women. We discuss that the understanding of the brain correlates can inform the development of social robots with enhanced empathy and caregiving abilities. We propose that the availability of these robots will benefit many aspects of the society including transition to parenthood and parenting, in which women are deeply involved in real life and scientific research. We conclude with some of the barriers for women in the field and how robotics and robot empathy research benefits from a broad representation of researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna H. Chin
- Family and Child Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Brain, Artificial Intelligence, and Child (BAIC) Center, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Kerstin S. Haring
- Humane Robot Technology (HuRoT) Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Kerstin S. Haring
| | - Pilyoung Kim
- Family and Child Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Brain, Artificial Intelligence, and Child (BAIC) Center, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
- Department of Psychology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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30
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Gemignani M, Giannotti M, Schmalz X, Rigo P, De Falco S. Attentional Prioritization of Infant Faces in Parents: The Influence of Parents' Experiences of Care. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:527. [PMID: 36612848 PMCID: PMC9819530 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Infant faces are prioritized by the attentional system in parents, resulting in a greater cognitive engagement in terms of response time. However, many biological, contextual and environmental factors relating to this cognitive mechanism have been left unexplored. To fill this gap, this study aims to (i) confirm that infant faces engage more attention compared to adult faces; (ii) investigate whether the attention to infant faces is affected early care experiences of parents; (iii) explore the effect of parents' sex by taking the amount of involvement with early childcare into consideration. 51 mothers and 46 fathers completed a modified Go/no-Go task, a brief sociodemographic questionnaire, the short version of the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection scale, and an ad-hoc question relating to the amount of parental involvement with early childcare. Parents' response times were slowed in the presence of infant versus adult faces. Parents whose mother was perceived as more sensitively accepting were more engaged by infant cues. By considering the amount of early parental involvement, the sex of parents did not significantly interact with the type of face. These findings provide new insights on the attention process in response to infant cues in parents and suggest that the investigation of experience-based factors may shed further light on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Gemignani
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini 84, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Michele Giannotti
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini 84, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Xenia Schmalz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Paola Rigo
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Simona De Falco
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini 84, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
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31
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Hoegholt NF, Bonetti L, Stevner ABA, Andersen CE, Hughes M, Fernandes HM, Vuust P, Kringelbach ML. A magnetoencephalography study of first-time mothers listening to infant cries. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5896-5905. [PMID: 36460612 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Studies using magnetoencephalography (MEG) have identified the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to be an important early hub for a “parental instinct” in the brain. This complements the finding from functional magnetic resonance imaging studies linking reward, emotion regulation, empathy, and mentalization networks to the “parental brain.” Here, we used MEG in 43 first-time mothers listening to infant and adult cry vocalizations to investigate the link with mother–infant postpartum bonding scores and their level of sleep deprivation (assessed using both actigraphy and sleep logs). When comparing brain responses to infant versus adult cry vocalizations, we found significant differences at around 800–1,000 ms after stimuli onset in the primary auditory cortex, superior temporal gyrus, hippocampal areas, insula, precuneus supramarginal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and posterior cingulate gyrus. Importantly, mothers with weaker bonding scores showed decreased brain responses to infant cries in the auditory cortex, middle and superior temporal gyrus, OFC, hippocampal areas, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus at around 100–300 ms after the stimulus onset. In contrast, we did not find correlations with sleep deprivation scores. The significant decreases in brain processing of an infant’s distress signals could potentially be a novel signature of weaker infant bonding in new mothers and should be investigated in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Hoegholt
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
- Linacre College, University of Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
- Emergency Department at Randers Regional Hospital , 8930 , Denmark
| | - L Bonetti
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
- Linacre College, University of Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
- University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
| | - A B A Stevner
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
- Linacre College, University of Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
| | - C E Andersen
- Aarhus University Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
| | - M Hughes
- Linacre College, University of Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
| | - H M Fernandes
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
- Linacre College, University of Oxford Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
| | - P Vuust
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
| | - M L Kringelbach
- Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
- Linacre College Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, , University of Oxford, Oxford OX37JX, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, , Oxford OX37JX , United Kingdom
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32
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Ojha A, Miller JG, King LS, Davis EG, Humphreys KL, Gotlib IH. Empathy for others versus for one's child: Associations with mothers' brain activation during a social cognitive task and with their toddlers' functioning. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22313. [PMID: 36282757 PMCID: PMC9608359 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22313] [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: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Caregivers who are higher in dispositional empathy tend to have children with better developmental outcomes; however, few studies have considered the role of child-directed (i.e., "parental") empathy, which may be relevant for the caregiver-child relationship. We hypothesized that mothers' parental empathy during their child's infancy will be a stronger predictor of their child's social-emotional functioning as a toddler than will mothers' dispositional empathy. We further explored whether parental and dispositional empathy have shared or distinct patterns of neural activation during a social-cognitive movie-watching task. In 118 mother-infant dyads, greater parental empathy assessed when infants were 6 months old was associated with more social-emotional competencies and fewer problems in the children 1 year later, even after adjusting for dispositional empathy. In contrast, dispositional empathy was not associated with child functioning when controlling for parental empathy. In a subset of 20 mothers, insula activation was positively associated with specific facets of both dispositional and parental empathy, whereas right temporoparietal junction activation was associated only with parental empathy. Thus, dispositional and parental empathy appear to be dissociable by both brain and behavioral metrics. Parental empathy may be a viable target for interventions, especially for toddlers at risk for developing social-emotional difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Ojha
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Lucy S. King
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Elena G. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Kathryn L. Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Ian H. Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
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33
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Bonfig J, Herpertz SC, Schneider I. Altered hormonal patterns in borderline personality disorder mother-child interactions. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 143:105822. [PMID: 35709662 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105822] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin, cortisol, and testosterone are involved in the processing of reward and stress and greatly influence mother-child interactions. Altered hormonal systems have been associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a disorder characterized by interpersonal deficits. Mothers with BPD tend to perceive interactions with the child as less rewarding and more stressful and interactions are often less reciprocal and have more negative states (i.e. constricted, tense, uncoordinated behaviors). Their children are at elevated risk for psychopathologies. Here, we studied underlying hormonal mechanisms of disrupted mother-child interaction in BPD. METHODS Twenty-five mothers with BPD and 29 healthy mothers with their 18- to 36-month-old toddlers participated in a free-play mother-child interaction, which was evaluated with the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) Manual. Maternal blood samples were analyzed at baseline for oxytocin, cortisol, and testosterone, and after interaction for oxytocin and cortisol. RESULTS Oxytocin decreased and cortisol remained unchanged in mothers with BPD while healthy mothers showed stable oxytocin and decreased cortisol after interaction. Testosterone basal levels were significantly higher in mothers with BPD. Cortisol reactivity and testosterone levels mediated the association between maternal BPD and dyadic negative states during interaction. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that alterations in oxytocin, cortisol, and testosterone contribute to disruptions in mother-child interaction in BPD. Interacting with their child might not result in reward and relief of stress in mothers with BPD in the same way as in healthy mothers. Further research is needed to understand more about dyadic bio-behavioral processes in order to provide targeted parenting support. This could break the cycle of transgenerational transmission and improve maternal and child well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bonfig
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Isabella Schneider
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
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34
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Trait coping styles and the maternal neural and behavioral sensitivity to an infant. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14373. [PMID: 35999360 PMCID: PMC9399102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18339-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
During the postpartum period, new mothers experience drastic changes in their body, brain, and life circumstances. Stress from the emotional and physical demands of caring for an infant is associated with negative mood and parenting outcomes. The use of active coping strategies can increase mothers’ resilience during the postpartum period. However, little is known about the association between coping styles and maternal brain responses to infant cues. In the current study, we examined the associations among trait coping style, maternal brain responses, and behavioral sensitivity in a socioeconomically diverse sample of first-time mothers (N = 59). The use of more active trait coping strategies compared to passive coping strategies was associated with increased brain responses to infant cry sounds in brain regions that are critically involved in motivation and emotion regulation—substantia nigra, anterior cingulate gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus. Increased brain activations in the midbrain and anterior cingulate gyrus were further associated with higher levels of maternal sensitivity observed during interactions with the infant. Thus, the findings provide support for mothers’ use of more active coping styles to promote neural and behavioral resilience for a positive transition to parenthood.
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35
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Takano Y, Umezawa M, Kubota N, Takeda K, Yanagita S. Effects of music exposure during pregnancy on maternal behavior in mother rats. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10029. [PMID: 35991990 PMCID: PMC9382262 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated the possibility of positive effects of exposure to music during pregnancy on mental function in humans and animals. Although there remains a core belief in the positive effects of music during pregnancy, the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms of these effects remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between maternal nurturing behavior and the oxytocinergic system to elucidate the effect of music on mental health during pregnancy in an experimental investigation using animal models. Pregnant rats were exposed to Mozart sonatas, and their nurturing behavior after delivery was assessed using behavioral analyses. The neural activities of the oxytocinergic system, which are associated with nurturing behavior, were investigated using FosB immunohistochemistry. Music during pregnancy significantly increased the licking behavior of mothers towards pups, which is representative of positive nurturing behavior. In contrast, this alteration in maternal behavior was shown to have no marked effect on the structure or activity of the oxytocinergic system. This study provided possible evidence that exposure to music during pregnancy had a positive effect on postnatal maternal behavior. The results also suggest that the oxytocinergic system, considered a strong candidate for the neural system that regulates maternal behavior, may not be associated with this behavioral change. Understanding the relationship between other neural systems, physiological responses, and nurturing behaviors will provide a more comprehensive explanation of the mechanisms by which music exposure during pregnancy has a positive effect on mental health. Pregnant rats were exposed to Mozart sonatas and their nurturing behavior was investigated. Exposure to music during pregnancy has a positive effect on postnatal maternal behavior. Maternal behavior had no marked effect on the structure or activity of the oxytocinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurika Takano
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Masakazu Umezawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Natsuko Kubota
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Ken Takeda
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi 756-0884, Japan
| | - Shinya Yanagita
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Corresponding author.
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Compassion within conflict: Toward a computational theory of social groups informed by maternal brain physiology. Behav Brain Sci 2022; 45:e110. [PMID: 35796356 PMCID: PMC10201183 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x21001436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Benevolent intersubjectivity developed in parent-infant interactions and compassion toward friend and foe alike are non-violent interventions to group behavior in conflict. Based on a dyadic active inference framework rooted in specific parental brain mechanisms, we suggest that interventions promoting compassion and intersubjectivity can reduce stress, and that compassionate mediation may resolve conflicts.
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37
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Miller V, VanWormer LA, Veile A. Assessment of attention in biological mothers using the attention network test - revised. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-00826-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Skowron EA, Funderburk BW. In vivo social regulation of high-risk parenting: A conceptual model of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for child maltreatment prevention. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2022; 136:106391. [PMID: 35221407 PMCID: PMC8881007 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Meta-analyses show that Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) significantly reduces child abuse and neglect in families where maltreatment has already occurred; however, research into the underlying mechanisms of change (i.e., how PCIT effects positive changes in parenting) remains limited. In this article, we discuss a new conceptual model of PCIT's active ingredients that is informed by biobehavioral research documenting the physiological underpinnings of problematic parenting. We describe deficits in self-regulation observed in child maltreating parents and PCIT's unique live coaching approach and associated techniques that may form the basis for in-vivo social regulation in the act of parenting that supports more effective, positive parenting behavior, strengthens parents' self-regulation skills, and reduces child maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Skowron
- Department of Psychology & Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Oregon
| | - Beverly W Funderburk
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
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Sanson A, Bosch OJ. Dysfunctions of brain oxytocin signaling: Implications for poor mothering. Neuropharmacology 2022; 211:109049. [PMID: 35390436 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Good mothering has profound impact on both the mother's and the young's well-being. Consequently, experiencing inadequate maternal care - or even neglect - in the first stages of life is a major risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders, and even for poor parenting towards the future offspring. Thus, understanding the neurobiological basis of maternal neglect becomes crucial. Along with other neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, oxytocin (OXT) has long been known as one of the main modulators of maternal behavior. In rodents, disruptions of central OXT transmission have been associated with poor maternal responses, like impaired onset of nursing behaviors, and reduced care and defense of the pups. Importantly, such behavioral and molecular deficits can be transmitted through generations, creating a vicious circle of low-quality maternal behavior. Similarly, evidence from human studies shows that OXT signaling is defective in conditions of inadequate mothering and child neglect. On those premises, this review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of animal and human studies linking perturbed OXT transmission to poor maternal behavior. Considering the important fallouts of inadequate maternal responses, we believe that unraveling the alterations in OXT transmission might provide useful insights for a better understanding of maternal neglect and, ultimately, for future intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Sanson
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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40
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Bembich S, Saksida A, Mastromarino S, Travan L, Di Risio G, Cont G, Demarini S. Empathy at birth: Mother's cortex synchronizes with that of her newborn in pain. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1519-1531. [PMID: 35266192 PMCID: PMC9314789 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Early neonatal relation with the caregiver is vital for newborn survival and for the promotion of an appropriate neural development. The aim of this study was to assess if the empathic cortical response of a mother to her baby's pain is synchronized with the neonatal cortical response to the painful stimulation. We used hyperscanning, a functional neuroimaging approach that allows studying functional synchronization between two brains. Sixteen mother-newborn dyads were recruited. Maternal and neonatal cortical activities were simultaneously monitored, by near-infrared spectroscopy, during a heel prick performed on the baby and observed by the mother. Multiple paired t test was used to identify cortical activation, and wavelet transform coherence method was used to explore possible synchronization between the maternal and neonatal cortical areas. Activations were observed in mother's parietal cortex, bilaterally, and in newborn's superior motor/somatosensory cortex. The main functional synchronization analysis showed that mother's left parietal cortex activity cross-correlated with that of her newborn's superior motor/somatosensory cortex. Such synchronization dynamically changed throughout assessment, becoming positively cross-correlated only after the leading role in synchronizing cortical activities was taken up by the newborn. Thus, maternal empathic cortical response to baby pain was guided by and synchronized to the newborn's cortical response to pain. We conclude that, in case of potential danger for the infant, brain areas involved in mother-newborn relationship appear to be already co-regulated at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Bembich
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Amanda Saksida
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Simona Mastromarino
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Laura Travan
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Giovanna Di Risio
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Gabriele Cont
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
| | - Sergio Demarini
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child HealthIRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”TriesteItaly
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41
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Swain JE, Ho SS. Reduced Child-Oriented Face Mirroring Brain Responses in Mothers With Opioid Use Disorder: An Exploratory Study. Front Psychol 2022; 12:770093. [PMID: 35185679 PMCID: PMC8854864 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.770093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among pregnant women has multiplied in the United States in the last decade, buprenorphine treatment (BT) for peripartum women with OUD has been administered to reduce risks of repeated cycles of craving and withdrawal. However, the maternal behavior and bonding in mothers with OUD may be altered as the underlying maternal behavior neurocircuit (MBN) is opioid sensitive. In the regulation of rodent maternal behaviors such as licking and grooming, a series of opioid-sensitive brain regions are functionally connected, including the ventral pallidum (VP). In humans, these brain regions, interact with the supplementary motor area (SMA) to regulate maternal behaviors and are functionally dysregulated by opioids. It is unclear how these brain regions respond to the emotions of their child for mothers receiving BT. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) pilot study in 22 mothers within the first postpartum year, including six mothers receiving BT and 16 non-OUD mothers as a comparison group (CG), we devised a child face mirroring task in fMRI settings to assess maternal responses to pictures of facial expressions of own child and an unknown child in an empathic mirroring condition (Join) and a non-mirroring observation condition (Observe). In each condition, faces of neutral, ambiguous, distressed, and joyful expressions of each child were repeatedly displayed in a random order. The response of SMA during empathic mirroring (Join) vs. non-mirroring (Observe) of own child was reduced among BT/OUD vs. CG. Within MBN, the left VP, critical for parental sensitivity, had a similar deficit. This study outlines potential mechanisms for investigating the risks of deficits in the neural responses to actual maternal sensitivity and parenting behavior in mothers with OUD, and potential targets for interventions that reduce stress and augment maternal behavior and child outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Swain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Program in Public Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: James E. Swain,
| | - S. Shaun Ho
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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42
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Mundorf A, Bölükbas I, Freund N. Maternal separation: Does it hold the potential to model consequences of postpartum depression? Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22219. [PMID: 35050513 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The postpartum period is a sensitive time where women are especially vulnerable to develop postpartum depression (PPD), with 10%-15% of women affected. This review investigates whether the maternal separation (MS) paradigm in rodents holds the potential to help to understand mothers suffering from PPD. MS is a well-established stress model to investigate effects on infants, whereas effects on the dam are often overlooked. The database PubMed was searched for studies investigating effects of daily MS within the first weeks after parturition on dams in rats and mice and compared to findings in PPD mothers. MS was categorized as brief MS (5-45 min) with or without handling of pups and long MS (3-4 h and longer). MS alters maternal care, depressive-like behavior, anxiety, and aggression; leads to alterations in neuronal gene expression; and affects hormone and neurotransmitter levels similar to observations in PPD patients. Even though there are disparities between human and rodent mothers, with some results differing in directionality, as well as the reason for separation (self-induced in PPD, externally induced in MS), the overall effects found on neurobiological, hormonal, and behavioral levels mostly coincide. Thus, the MS paradigm can add relevant knowledge to existing PPD animal models, further advancing the study of PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annakarina Mundorf
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Institute for Systems Medicine and Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Bölükbas
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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43
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Aleknaviciute J, Evans TE, Aribas E, de Vries MW, Steegers EAP, Ikram MA, Tiemeier H, Kavousi M, Vernooij MW, Kushner SA. Long-term association of pregnancy and maternal brain structure: the Rotterdam Study. Eur J Epidemiol 2022; 37:271-281. [PMID: 34989970 PMCID: PMC9110529 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-021-00818-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The peripartum period is the highest risk interval for the onset or exacerbation of psychiatric illness in women’s lives. Notably, pregnancy and childbirth have been associated with short-term structural and functional changes in the maternal human brain. Yet the long-term effects of pregnancy on maternal brain structure remain unknown. We investigated a large population-based cohort to examine the association between parity and brain structure. In total, 2,835 women (mean age 65.2 years; all free from dementia, stroke, and cortical brain infarcts) from the Rotterdam Study underwent magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) between 2005 and 2015. Associations of parity with global and lobar brain tissue volumes, white matter microstructure, and markers of vascular brain disease were examined using regression models. We found that parity was associated with a larger global gray matter volume (β = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.09–0.19), a finding that persisted following adjustment for sociodemographic factors. A non-significant dose-dependent relationship was observed between a higher number of childbirths and larger gray matter volume. The gray matter volume association with parity was globally proportional across lobes. No associations were found regarding white matter volume or integrity, nor with markers of cerebral small vessel disease. The current findings suggest that pregnancy and childbirth are associated with robust long-term changes in brain structure involving a larger global gray matter volume that persists for decades. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the mechanism and physiological relevance of these differences in brain morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurate Aleknaviciute
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tavia E Evans
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 90, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elif Aribas
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 90, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merel W de Vries
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A P Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammad Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 90, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Child Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 90, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Meike W Vernooij
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 90, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Steven A Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 's Gravendijkwal 230, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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44
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Chechko N, Dukart J, Tchaikovski S, Enzensberger C, Neuner I, Stickel S. The Expectant Brain-Pregnancy Leads to Changes in Brain Morphology in the Early Postpartum Period. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:4025-4038. [PMID: 34942007 PMCID: PMC9476604 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that pregnancy may have a significant impact on the maternal brain, causing changes in its structure. To investigate the patterns of these changes, we compared nulliparous women (n = 40) with a group of primiparous women (n = 40) and multiparous mothers (n = 37) within 1–4 days postpartum, using voxel-based and surface-based morphometry (SBM). Compared with the nulliparous women, the young mothers showed decreases in gray matter volume in the bilateral hippocampus/amygdala, the orbitofrontal/subgenual prefrontal area, the right superior temporal gyrus and insula, and the cerebellum. These pregnancy-related changes in brain structure did not predict the quality of mother–infant attachment at either 3 or 12 weeks postpartum nor were they more pronounced among the multiparous women. SBM analyses showed significant cortical thinning especially in the frontal and parietal cortices, with the parietal cortical thinning likely potentiated by multiple pregnancies. We conclude that, compared with the brain of nulliparous women, the maternal brain shows widespread morphological changes shortly after childbirth. Also, the experience of pregnancy alone may not be the underlying cause of the adaptations for mothering. As regards the exact biological function of the changes in brain morphology, longitudinal research will be needed to draw any definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Chechko
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behavior (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Jürgen Dukart
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behavior (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany.,Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Svetlana Tchaikovski
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Christian Enzensberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Irene Neuner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Susanne Stickel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
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45
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Ulmer-Yaniv A, Waidergoren S, Shaked A, Salomon R, Feldman R. Neural Representation of the Parent-Child Attachment from Infancy to Adulthood. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 17:609-624. [PMID: 34893911 PMCID: PMC9250301 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Attachment theory is built on the assumption of consistency; the mother–infant bond is thought to underpin the life-long representations individuals construct of attachment relationships. Still, consistency in the individual’s neural response to attachment-related stimuli representing his or her entire relational history has not been investigated. Mothers and children were followed across two decades and videotaped in infancy (3–6 months), childhood (9–12 years) and young adulthood (18–24 years). In adulthood, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while exposed to videos of own mother–child interactions (Self) vs unfamiliar interactions (Other). Self-stimuli elicited greater activations across preregistered nodes of the human attachment network, including thalamus-to-brainstem, amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula and temporal cortex. Critically, self-stimuli were age-invariant in most regions of interest despite large variability in social behavior, and Bayesian analysis showed strong evidence for lack of age-related differences. Psycho–physiological interaction analysis indicated that self-stimuli elicited tighter connectivity between ACC and anterior insula, consolidating an interface associating information from exteroceptive and interceptive sources to sustain attachment representations. Child social engagement behavior was individually stable from infancy to adulthood and linked with greater ACC and insula response to self-stimuli. Findings demonstrate overlap in circuits sustaining parental and child attachment and accord with perspectives on the continuity of attachment across human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Ulmer-Yaniv
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya 4610101, Israel
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shani Waidergoren
- Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya 4610101, Israel
| | - Ariel Shaked
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Roy Salomon
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Correspondence should be addressed to Ruth Feldman Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, 8 Ha'Universita st., Herzliya 4610101, Israel. E-mail:
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46
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Demetrius LA, Eckert A, Grimm A. Sex differences in Alzheimer's disease: metabolic reprogramming and therapeutic intervention. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:963-979. [PMID: 34654630 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have revealed three classes of risk factor: age, genetics, and sex. These risk factors point to a metabolic dysregulation as the origin of AD. Adaptive alterations in cerebral metabolism are the rationale for the Metabolic Reprogramming (MR) Theory of the origin of AD. The theory contends that the progression toward AD involves three adaptive events: a hypermetabolic phase, a prolonged prodromal phase, and a metabolic collapse. This article exploits the MR Theory to elucidate the effect of hormonal changes on the origin and progression of AD in women. The theory invokes bioenergetic signatures of the menopausal transition to propose sex-specific diagnostic program and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd A Demetrius
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Anne Eckert
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Psychiatric University Clinics, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Grimm
- University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Psychiatric University Clinics, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Life Sciences Training Facility, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
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47
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Horstman LI, Riem MME, Alyousefi-van Dijk K, Lotz AM, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ. Fathers' Involvement in Early Childcare is Associated with Amygdala Resting-State Connectivity. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 17:198-205. [PMID: 34651177 PMCID: PMC8847902 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Becoming a parent requires new skills and frequent task switching during daily childcare. Little is known about the paternal brain during the transition to fatherhood. The present study examined intrinsic neuronal network connectivity in a group of first-time expectant and new fathers (total N = 131) using amygdala seed-based resting-state functional connectivity analysis. Furthermore, we examined the association between paternal involvement (i.e. hours spent in childcare and real-time push notifications on smartphone) and connectivity within the parental brain network in new fathers. There were no significant differences in functional connectivity between expectant and new fathers. However, results show that in new fathers, time spent in childcare was positively related to amygdala connectivity with the supramarginal gyrus, postcentral gyrus and the superior parietal lobule—all regions within the cognition/mentalizing network that have been associated with empathy and social cognition. Our results suggest that fathers’ time investment in childcare is related to connectivity networks in the parental brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa I Horstman
- Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Madelon M E Riem
- Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Alyousefi-van Dijk
- Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anna M Lotz
- Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg
- Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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48
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Li D, Liu H, Wang H, Jia S, Wang X, Ling S, Chen G, Liu X, Wang YF. Astrocytic Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Supraoptic Cellular Activity in the Adaptive Response of Lactating Rats to Chronic Social Stress. ASN Neuro 2021; 13:17590914211043087. [PMID: 34579557 PMCID: PMC8642056 DOI: 10.1177/17590914211043087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal social stress among breastfeeding women can be adapted in chronic process.
However, neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying such adaptation remain to be identified.
Here, we report the effects of 2 hr/day unfamiliar male rat invasion (UMI) stress on
maternal behaviors in lactating rats during postpartum day 8 (UMI8) to postpartum day 12
(UMI12). Rat dams at UMI8 presented signs of maternal anxiety, depression, and attacks
toward male intruder. These changes partially reversed at UMI12 except the sign of
anxiety. In the supraoptic nucleus (SON), UMI12 but not UMI8 significantly increased the
expression of c-Fos and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2.
At UMI8 but not UMI12, length of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, astrocytic
cytoskeletal element) filaments around oxytocin (OT) neurons was significantly longer than
that of their controls; the amount of GFAP fragments at UMI12 was significantly less than
that at UMI8. Expression of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS, enzyme for H2S
synthesis) at UMI12 was significantly higher than that at UMI8. CBS expression did not
change significantly in the somatic zone of the SON but decreased significantly at the
ventral glia lamina at UMI8. In brain slices of the SON, aminooxyacetate (a CBS blocker)
significantly increased the expression of GFAP proteins that were molecularly associated
with CBS. Aminooxyacetate also reduced the firing rate of OT neurons whereas
Na2S, a donor of H2S, increased it. The adaptation during chronic
social stress is possibly attributable to the increased production of H2S by
astrocytes and the subsequent retraction of astrocytic processes around OT neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Li
- Department of Physiology, 12455Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoran Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuo Ling
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guichuan Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 34707Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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49
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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: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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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Morgan JK, Santosa H, Fridley RM, Conner KK, Hipwell AE, Forbes EE, Huppert TJ. Postpartum Depression Is Associated With Altered Neural Connectivity Between Affective and Mentalizing Regions During Mother-Infant Interactions. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:744649. [PMID: 34816247 PMCID: PMC8593996 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.744649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there has been growing interest in mood-related neural alterations in women in the initial weeks postpartum, recent work has demonstrated that postpartum depression often lingers for months or years following birth. However, research evaluating the impact of depression on maternal brain function during mother-infant interactions in the late postpartum period is lacking. The current study tested the hypothesis that depressive symptoms at 12-months postpartum are associated with neural alterations in affective and social neural regions, using near-infrared spectroscopy during in vivo mother-infant interactions. Participants were 23 birth mothers of 12-month-old infants (60% boys). While undergoing near-infrared spectroscopy, mothers engaged in an ecologically valid interactive task in which they looked at an age-appropriate book with their infants. Mothers also reported on their depressive symptoms in the past week and were rated on their observed levels of maternal sensitivity during mother-infant play. Greater depressive severity at 12-months postpartum was related to lower connectivity between the right temporoparietal junction and the lateral prefrontal cortex, but greater connectivity between the right temporoparietal junction and anterior medial prefrontal cortex during mother-infant interaction. Given the putative functions of these neural regions within the maternal brain network, our findings suggest that in the context of depression, postpartum mothers' mentalizing about her infants' thoughts and feelings may be related to lower ability to express and regulate her own emotions, but greater ability to engage in emotional bonding with her infant. Future work should explore how connectivity among these regions is associated with longitudinal changes in maternal behavior, especially in the context of changes in mothers' depressive symptoms (e.g., with treatment) over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith K. Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hendrik Santosa
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rachel M. Fridley
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kaetlyn K. Conner
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alison E. Hipwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Erika E. Forbes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Theodore J. Huppert
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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