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Cited by 290Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorInfant Health and DevelopmentAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

Approaching the biology of human parental attachment: Brain imaging, oxytocin and coordinated assessments of mothers and fathers

Open access
Swain, J.E., Kim, P., Spicer, J., Ho, S.S., Dayton, C.J., Elmadih, A., Abel, K.M.·2014·Brain Research
DOI 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.03.007PMC PMC4157077
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Abstract

Brain networks that govern parental response to infant signals have been studied with imaging techniques over the last 15 years. The complex interaction of thoughts and behaviors required for sensitive parenting of offspring enable formation of each individual’s first social bonds and critically shape infants’ behavior. This review concentrates on magnetic resonance imaging experiments which directly examine the brain systems involved in parental responses to infant cues. First, we introduce themes in the literature on parental brain circuits studied to date. Next, we present a thorough chronological review of state-of-the-art fMRI studies that probe the parental brain with a range of baby audio and visual stimuli. We also highlight the putative role of oxytocin and effects of psychopathology, as well as the most recent work on the paternal brain. Taken together, a new model emerges in which we propose that cortico-limbic networks interact to support parental brain responses to infants for arousal/salience/motivation/reward, reflexive/instrumental caring, emotion response/regulation and integrative/complex cognitive processing. Maternal sensitivity and the quality of caregiving behavior are likely determined by the responsiveness of these circuits toward long-term influence of early-life experiences on offspring. The function of these circuits is modifiable by current and early-life experiences, hormonal and other factors. Known deviation from the range of normal function in these systems is particularly associated with (maternal) mental illnesses – commonly, depression and anxiety, but also schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Finally, we discuss the limits and extent to which brain imaging may broaden our understanding of the parental brain, and consider a current model and future directions that may have profound implications for intervention long term outcomes in families across risk and resilience profiles.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes fMRI, oxytocin, and behavioral evidence on human parental attachment, proposing cortico-limbic networks for salience/reward, reflexive caring, emotion regulation, and mentalizing in mothers and fathers. It argues parental brain function is modifiable by experience, hormones, and psychopathology, but fMRI and peripheral oxytocin measures have important limits.

Key findings

  • The review proposes that cortico-limbic networks interact to support parental responses to infants for arousal/salience/motivation/reward, reflexive/instrumental caring, emotion response/regulation, and integrative/complex cognitive processing; maternal sensitivity and caregiving quality are likely determined by the responsiveness of these circuits, which are modifiable by early-life and current experiences and hormonal factors, with deviations associated with maternal mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
  • In baby-cry fMRI studies, first-time mothers (n=9) at 2–4 weeks postpartum showed own vs unknown cry activation in midbrain, basal ganglia, cingulate, amygdala, and insula; at 3–4 months, activity shifted from amygdala and insula to medial prefrontal cortical and hypothalamic regions. Breastfeeding vs formula feeding was associated with greater own vs other baby-cry activations in anterior/posterior cingulate, thalamus, midbrain, hypothalamus, septal regions, dorsal/ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal/insula/temporal polar cortex, right lateral temporal cortex, and fusiform gyrus; amygdala was active when cry was compared with inter-stimulus rest, and brain activity to own vs unknown cry correlated with independently rated behavioral parenting in amygdala and frontal cortex regions.
  • In visual and psychopathology studies, depressed mothers showed reduced responses to own vs other baby in nucleus accumbens, caudate, and thalamus, and more depressive symptoms were associated with less activity in orbitofrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate, and superior frontal gyrus; IPV-PTSD mothers (11 vs 9 healthy mothers) reported greater stress to separation vignettes and showed greater limbic and reduced fronto-cortical activity in separation vs play; substance-using mothers showed decreased responses to low distress cries in prefrontal cortex, insula, and amygdala.
  • In fathers, N=10 fathers viewing own vs other infant videos showed increased activity in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and bilateral middle temporal gyrus; baby vs doll contrasts increased bilateral caudate, orbitofrontal cortex, superior frontal gyrus, and superior parietal lobe. Ventral tegmental area responses were associated with reduced testosterone levels, smaller testes volume, and higher parental sensitivity.

Methods

  • Narrative review of human parental brain imaging, focusing on fMRI experiments that present infant audio and visual stimuli, with additional review of oxytocin, psychopathology, and the paternal brain.
  • Synthesizes studies in mothers and fathers using own vs unknown baby cry, pictures, and videos, alongside behavioral, hormonal, and self-report measures; sample sizes are cited where reported (e.g., n=9 first-time mothers, N=10 fathers, 11 vs 9 IPV-PTSD vs healthy mothers).
  • Main analysis is qualitative integration; no new primary data are presented, and Tables 1 and 2 are referenced as summarizing experiments to date.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: fMRI BOLD signal lags behind neural activity over seconds, block/event designs capture or average activity over short periods, and magnet paradigms are far from real-time parenting; reverse inference, small early samples, seed-based analyses needing replication, and the possibility that response to baby cues may not directly relate to parental care are also noted.
  • Stated in the paper: oxytocin literature is limited because baseline CSF and plasma oxytocin showed no correlation in 41 non-psychiatric subjects, peripheral oxytocin may not reflect central effects, intranasal oxytocin effects depend on context and person, and no randomized controlled trials of oxytocin for postpartum depression have emerged.
  • Evident from the text: this is a review rather than an empirical study, so it provides no new data; the provided text references Tables 1 and 2 but does not include them, and the literature coverage ends around 2014.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.03.007

Cites

241 of 241 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

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  • Premisecitation

    The rich animal literature on parental brain strongly supports the notion that a coherent understanding of the physiology governing parenting in humans is also possible.

    “The rich animal literature on parental brain (Bridges, 2008) strongly supports the notion that a coherent understanding of the physiology governing parenting in humans is also possible.”
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    • cites Bridges, 2008

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  • Interpretationnone given

    For sensitive caregiver responses to infant cues, complex brain systems must manage an array of complex thoughts and behaviors contingent on feedback from the baby.

    “For sensitive caregiver responses to infant cues, complex brain systems must manage an array of complex thoughts and behaviors contingent on feedback from the baby.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    Chaotic, unpredictable, rejecting or neglectful care in which non-contingent responses to the child occur frequently results in insecure or disorganized patterns of attachment.

    “Conversely, chaotic, unpredictable, rejecting or neglectful care in which non-contingent responses to the child occur frequently, result in insecure or disorganized patterns of attachment evolves (Shaver et al., 1987).”
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  • Premisecitation

    The absence of skills needed to respond sensitively to child signals has been linked to risk for maltreatment.

    “Furthermore, the absence of skills needed to respond sensitively to child signals has been linked to risk for maltreatment (Milner, 1993, 2003).”
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    • cites Milner, 1993, 2003

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  • Interpretationcitation

    Such parental behaviors are likely to be the result of complex neural networks involved in generating and organizing emotional responses as well as in attention and executive function, reward and motivation, and sensorimotor circuits.

    “Such behaviors are likely to be the result of complex neural networks involved in generating and organizing emotional responses (Kober et al., 2008) as well as in attention & executive function, reward & motivation, and sensorimotor circuits – a model well supported by the literature (Swain and Lorberbaum, 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Maternal care behavior including sensitivity shows a great deal of variation despite being relatively stable within individual mothers across time and contexts.

    “In the naturalistic context, maternal care behavior including sensitivity shows a great deal of variation despite being relatively stable within individual mothers across time and contexts (Behrens et al., 2012; Jaffari-Bimmel et al., 2006; Wan et al., 2013).”
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    Premisecitation

    Human mothers and fathers manifest a repertoire of parental behaviors, thoughts and activities that cross cultures and also manifest homologues across species.

    “Human mothers and fathers manifest a repertoire of parental behaviors, thoughts and activities that cross cultures (Hrdy, 2000) and also manifest homologues across species (Clutton-Brock, 1991).”
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    Premisecitation

    Maternal sensitivity predicts a range of child outcomes, including the quality of attachment relationships, self-regulation, social functioning, socio-emotional development, and cognitive and language competence.

    “accumulating evidence that maternal sensitivity predicts a range of child outcomes - including the quality of their attachment relationships (Bakermans-Kranenburg et al., 2003; De Wolff and van Ijzendoorn, 1997), self-regulation (Eisenberg et al., 2001), social functioning (Kochanska, 2002; Van Zeijl et al., 2006), socio-emotional development (De Wolff and van Ijzendoorn, 1997), and cognitive and”
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    Interpretationnone given

    The function of these circuits is modifiable by current and early-life experiences, hormonal and other factors.

    “The function of these circuits is modifiable by current and early-life experiences, hormonal and other factors.”
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    Premisecitation

    Promising interventions targeted at improving parenting through improved sensitivity have shown inconsistent findings and generally small effect sizes.

    “This may explain why promising interventions targeted at improving parenting through improved sensitivity have shown inconsistent findings and generally small effect sizes (Bakermans-Kranenburg et al., 2003; Wan et al., 2008c).”
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    • cites Wan et al., 2008c

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    Interpretationnone given

    Maternal sensitivity and the quality of caregiving behavior are likely determined by the responsiveness of these circuits toward long-term influence of early-life experiences on offspring.

    “Maternal sensitivity and the quality of caregiving behavior are likely determined by the responsiveness of these circuits toward long-term influence of early-life experiences on offspring.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Poor maternal sensitivity in infancy predicts later harsh parenting and attitudes towards punishment.

    “Poor maternal sensitivity in infancy predicts later harsh parenting (Joosen et al., 2012) and attitudes towards punishment (Engfer and M, 1987).”
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    • cites Engfer and M, 1987

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Known deviation from the range of normal function in these systems is particularly associated with (maternal) mental illnesses - commonly, depression and anxiety, but also schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

    “Known deviation from the range of normal function in these systems is particularly associated with (maternal) mental illnesses – commonly, depression and anxiety, but also schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In rhesus monkeys, mothers with greater attachment to infants possess the G allele of the OPRM1 μ-opioid receptor and have higher oxytocin responses to lactation and pregnancy.

    “Thus, in rhesus monkeys, mothers with greater attachment to infants possess the G allele of the OPRM1 μ-opioid receptor and have higher oxytocin responses to lactation and pregnancy (Higham et al., 2011).”
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    • cites Higham et al., 2011 source

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    Premisecitation

    The medial OFC is particularly important for computing reward value while the lateral OFC makes stronger contributions to reward learning.

    “Although the OFC generally codes hedonic signals, the medial OFC is particularly important for computing reward value while the lateral OFC makes stronger contributions to reward learning.”
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    Interpretationnone given

    Other mothers with low sensitivity may show a selectively exaggerated attention bias to infant distress which results in the mother becoming overwhelmed by the stimuli; this may be particularly relevant for mothers and fathers with schizophrenia.

    “However, other mothers with low sensitivity may show a selectively exaggerated attention bias to infant distress which results in the mother becoming overwhelmed by the stimuli; this may be particularly relevant for mothers and fathers with schizophrenia.”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Poor maternal care behavior could derive in part from reduced recognition, as well as reduced response to infant emotions generally, and/or specifically, to signals of infant distress.

    “Thus, poor maternal care behavior could derive in part from reduced recognition, as well as reduced response to infant emotions generally, and/or specifically, to signals of infant distress.”
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    Interpretationnone given

    Some mothers may become overwhelmed by their infant's distress.

    “Conversely, some mothers may become overwhelmed by their infant’s distress.”
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    Premisecitation

    In anxiety and depression, modulating stress and emotional responsiveness is an important target for treatment and is associated with clinical improvement.

    “In anxiety and depression, modulating stress and emotional responsiveness is an important target for treatment and is associated with clinical improvement (Harmer et al., 2011).”
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    • cites Harmer et al., 2011 source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    In mothers, the initial experience of pleasure and activity in these brain circuits when exposed to their own infant's cues may increase the salience of their infant's stimuli and promote greater attention and bond-formation to ensure continuous engagement in sensitive caregiving.

    “In mothers, the initial experience of pleasure and activity in these brain circuits when exposed to their own infant’s cues may increase the salience of their infant’s stimuli and promote greater attention and bond-formation to ensure continuous engagement in sensitive caregiving.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reduced attention bias towards emotional stimuli, specifically infant distress, is associated with low maternal sensitivity in some mothers.

    “It is plausible that reduced attention bias towards emotional stimuli (specifically infant distress) is associated with low maternal sensitivity in some mothers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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    Premisecitation

    Mothers with a classification of disorganized attachment responded more slowly to negative attachment words and the speed of response to such stimuli was correlated with disorganization.

    “mothers with a classification of disorganized attachment responded more slowly to negative attachment words and the speed of response to such stimuli was correlated with disorganization, suggesting negative associations with attachment stimuli that may contribute to ongoing cognitive difficulties during mother-infant interactions (Atkinson et al., 2009).”
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    Interpretationnone given

    Mental health problems may manifest as impairment in any of these networks and play a significant role in poor parenting.

    “Indeed, mental health problems may manifest as impairment in any of these networks and play a significant role in poor parenting.”
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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In depressed patients, evidence suggests a tendency to pay more attention to negative emotional stimuli; an effect mediated by enhanced response in the ventral anterior cingulate, which may contribute to the maintenance of low mood.

    “In depressed patients, evidence suggests a tendency to pay more attention to negative emotional stimuli (Elliott et al., 2011); an effect mediated by enhanced response in the ventral anterior cingulate, which may contribute to the maintenance of low mood.”
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    Premisecitation

    Activity of opioids at the μ-opioid receptor is also central to the processing of reward in the context of drug dependence and social behaviors.

    “Strikingly, activity of opioids at the μ-opioid receptor is also central to the processing of reward in the context of drug dependence (Herz, 1997; Simmons and Self, 2009), and social behaviors (Higham et al., 2011).”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    If interactions with the infant are negative and stressful, parents may experience less brain activation in reward-motivation pathways, find the relationship less satisfying, harbor fewer positive parental thoughts and be less willing to maintain it.

    “In contrast, if interactions with the infant are negative and stressful, parents may experience less brain activation in reward-motivation pathways, find the relationship less satisfying, harbor fewer positive parental thoughts and be less willing to maintain it.”
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    Study design and conductreasoning

    Short blocks or events may capture briefly held mental states, but miss bigger changes such as sustained emotion; while longer blocks may capture more complex brain responses, but also average them out making subtle responses more difficult to detect.

    “On the one hand, short blocks or events may capture briefly held mental states, but miss bigger changes such as sustained emotion; while on the other hand longer blocks may capture more complex brain responses, but also average them out making subtle responses more difficult to detect.”
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    Interpretationnone given

    Worrying about the infant - such as health and other concerns - may be associated with lower parental sensitivity and higher intrusiveness.

    “On the other hand, worrying about the infant – such as health and other concerns - may be associated with lower parental sensitivity and higher intrusiveness.”
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    Premisecitation

    Mother's positive feelings towards her unborn fetus as well as her perception of her fetus have been associated with greater maternal sensitivity to the infant's signals and more affectionate vocalizations and touch.

    “Such reward pathways maybe relevant very early in the postpartum, as mother’s positive feelings towards her unborn fetus as well as her perception of her fetus have been associated with greater maternal sensitivity to the infant’s signals and more affectionate vocalizations and touch (Keller et al., 2003; Keren et al., 2003).”
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    Interpretationnone given

    Idealization of the infant and positive thoughts about parenting may positively reinforce both quality of parenting and feelings of reward.

    “Idealization of the infant and positive thoughts about parenting may positively reinforce both quality of parenting and feelings of reward.”
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    Premisecitation

    Deficits of empathy in disorders such as schizophrenia and autism have been associated with abnormalities in certain brain networks.

    “Deficits of empathy in disorders such as schizophrenia and autism have been associated with abnormalities in certain brain networks (Gallese et al., 2004; Iacoboni, 2009; Uddin et al., 2007).”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    Brain activity measurements represent an integration of electrical brain activity that may be instantaneous yet the related blood flow change lags behind over seconds.

    “An important caveat throughout the interpretation of parenting fMRI studies, however, is that that brain activity measurements represent an integration of electrical brain activity that may be instantaneous yet the related blood flow change lags behind over seconds.”
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    Premisecitation

    Levels of parental preoccupations were related to postpartum anxiety at the first month postpartum and lower maternal sensitivity at 3-4 months postpartum.

    “In one sample, levels of parental preoccupations were related to postpartum anxiety at the first month postpartum (Feldman et al., 1999) and lower maternal sensitivity at 3–4 months postpartum (Kim et al., 2013).”
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    Premisecitation

    These positive interactions further help mothers to strengthen their attachment and heighten the experience of positive feelings toward their infants.

    “These positive interactions further help mothers to strengthen their attachment and heighten the experience of positive feelings toward their infants (Mercer, 1985).”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Interactions with the infant may enhance parental oxytocin and dopamine release and foster the maintenance of positive parental behaviors with associated attentiveness and sensitive caregiving.

    “Thus, interactions with the infant may enhance parental oxytocin and dopamine release and foster the maintenance of positive parental behaviors with associated attentiveness and sensitive caregiving – perhaps implicating future therapeutic potential (Macdonald et al., 2013).”
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    • cites Macdonald et al., 2013

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    Premisecitation

    Abnormally low levels of parental preoccupation, e.g. in postpartum depression, also pose difficulties in developing emotional bonds with the infant, and risk inadequate parenting.

    “Abnormally low levels of parental preoccupation, e.g. in postpartum depression also pose difficulties in developing emotional bonds with the infant, and risk inadequate parenting (Feldman et al., 2009; Feldman et al., 1999).”
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    Interpretationnone given

    The power and sensitivity of functional imaging deliver mechanistic understanding of abnormalities in brain associated with poor parenting and promise earlier detection of problems that may not be obvious from behavioral or self-report measures.

    “The power and sensitivity of functional imaging deliver mechanistic understanding of abnormalities in brain associated with poor parenting and promise earlier detection of problems that may not be obvious from behavioral or self-report measures.”
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    Premisecitation

    Breastfeeding vs formula feeding is associated with greater activations to own baby cries vs other baby cries in anterior and posterior cingulate, thalamus, midbrain, hypothalamus, septal regions, dorsal and ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal/insula/temporal polar cortex region, right lateral temporal cortex, and fusiform gyrus in mothers (Kim et al., 2011).

    “Imaging studies using baby cry (Kim et al., 2011), find breastfeeding vs. formula feeding is associated with greater activations to own baby cries vs. other baby cries in anterior and posterior cingulate, thalamus, midbrain, hypothalamus, septal regions, dorsal and ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, right orbitofrontal/insula/temporal polar cortex region, and right lateral temporal cortex”
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    • cites Kim et al., 2011 source

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    Study design and conductnone given

    The relationship between Cesarean section and PPD is strongly confounded by a range of factors including low maternal age, past depression and low social supports.

    “However, the relationship between Cesarean section and PPD is strongly confounded by a range of factors including low maternal age, past depression and low social supports.”
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    Premisecitation

    Baby cry also signals the need for physical proximity of caregivers leading to the dynamically interactive cry-care thoughts and behaviors that lead to attachment, for which new parents appear to be primed.

    “In addition to communicating basic levels of discomfort, hunger, and pain (Soltis, 2004), baby cry also signals the need for physical proximity of caregivers leading to the dynamically interactive cry-care thoughts and behaviors that lead to attachment (Swain et al., 2004b), for which new parents appear to be primed (Bowlby, 1969b).”
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    • cites Bowlby, 1969b

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    Study design and conductnone given

    The important limitation that response to baby cues may not be directly related to parental care is being addressed in studies that correlate responses to parental care described below.

    “The important limitation that response to baby cues may not be directly related to parental care is being addressed in studies that correlate responses to parental care described below.”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Increasing oxytocin and testosterone availability in the maternal brain may modulate processing of distressing emotional information (e.g., infant cries) and facilitate more appropriate responses, especially in mothers with dysregulated responses.

    “Therefore, increasing oxytocin and testosterone availability in maternal brain may modulate the processing of distressing emotional information e.g. infant cries and facilitate more appropriate responses, especially in mothers with dysregulated responses to such stimuli (see above).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Testosterone is metabolized to estradiol, which activates neural regions important for maternal motivation.

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    Interpretationcitation

    Any potential early-postpartum abnormalities in oxytocin are reversible.

    “At 3–4 months postpartum, the same mothers – all of whom remained healthy - no longer showed differing responses to own baby-cry (Swain, 2011a), suggesting that any potential early-postpartum abnormalities in oxytocin are reversible.”
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    • cites Swain, 2011a

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    Premisecitation

    Human mothers can recognize the cries of their own infants, and mothers and fathers activate brain in areas hypothesized to be involved in mammalian parenting behavior.

    “Supportive studies have demonstrated that human mothers can recognize the cries of their own infants, and mothers and fathers activate brain in areas hypothesized to be involved in mammalian parenting behavior (Swain and Lorberbaum, 2008; Swain et al., 2007).”
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    Premisecitation

    Parents activated more to infant crying than laughing in the right amygdala, while non-parent response was greater for infant laughing than crying.

    “Their within-group analyses reported that parents activated more to infant crying than laughing in the right amygdala, while non-parent response was greater for infant laughing than crying (Seifritz et al., 2003).”
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    • cites Seifritz et al., 2003 source

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    Study design and conductnone given

    Many of these studies make use of seed-based analyses that will require replication in different populations to permit generalization of findings and all results could relate to activity that is excitatory or inhibitory.

    “Many of these studies make use of seed-based analyses that will require replication in different populations to permit generalization of findings and all results could relate to activity that is excitatory or inhibitory.”
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    Premisecitation

    Mothers were significantly more preoccupied than fathers, and consistent with the relatively greater activation of amygdala and basal ganglia in mothers compared with fathers.

    “Interview and self-report studies found that mothers were significantly more preoccupied than fathers, and consistent with the relatively greater activation of amygdala and basal ganglia in mothers compared with fathers (Swain et al., 2004a; Swain et al., 2014).”
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    • cites Swain et al., 2004a

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    • cites Swain et al., 2014

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    Interpretationcitation

    Maternal depression and addiction to substances are associated with disrupted mother-infant relationships and reduced neural activation to infants, including infant cries.

    “Although not causally, the findings demonstrate that maternal depression and addiction to substances are associated with disrupted mother-infant relationships and reduced neural activation to infants, including infant cries.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Evidence supports human preference for exaggerated cute/infantile features of baby faces, which appear to activate reward mechanisms within the caregiver and motivate/promote mothers to caregiving, bonding, and attachment.

    “Not only is facial recognition of one’s infant and their emotional state critical to their survival, but evidence supports human preference for the exaggerated cute/infantile features of baby faces which appear to activate reward mechanisms within the caregiver and motivate/promote mothers to caregiving, bonding and attachment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Glocker et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kringelbach et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Parsons et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Cries of ASD children show abnormal features including high frequencies, which elicit more negative feelings in healthy adults; women, not men, show greater deactivations in dorsal medial PFC and posterior cingulate cortex in response to cries of healthy infants (Venuti et al., 2012).

    “Cries of the ASD children showed abnormal features including high frequencies, which elicited more negative feelings in healthy adults and women, not men, showed greater deactivations in dorsal medial PFC and posterior cingulate cortex in response to cries of healthy infants”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Venuti et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In mothers reporting higher maternal care in their own childhood, greater responses to infant cries may be seen in regulatory cortical regions (middle and superior frontal gyri), whereas mothers reporting lower perceived maternal care may show increased hippocampal activations (Kim et al., 2010b).

    “Thus, in mothers who report higher maternal care in their own experience of childhood, greater responses to infant cries may be seen in regulatory cortical regions, including emotion regulation areas of the middle and superior frontal gyri, whereas mothers reporting lower perceived maternal care may be more likely to show increased hippocampal activations (Kim et al., 2010b)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kim et al., 2010b

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Coordinated responses of cortical and subcortical regions are important for parenting, and early life experience is important in the functioning of these circuits.

    “This underlines the importance for parenting of coordinated responses of these cortical and subcortical regions, as well as the importance of early life experience in the functioning of these circuits.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Nucleus accumbens is activated in response to baby schema (Glocker et al., 2009); medial orbitofrontal cortex responds to infant faces relative to adults (Kringelbach et al., 2008); higher levels of infantile features are preferred (Parsons et al., 2011).

    “In addition to activation of nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in response to baby schema (Glocker et al., 2009) and medial orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) response to infant faces relative to adults (Kringelbach et al., 2008), higher levels of infantile features are preferred (Parsons et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Glocker et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kringelbach et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Parsons et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    fMRI experiments on biological motion activate similar temporal cortex regions (Morris et al., 2005).

    “This fits with fMRI experiments on biological motion, which activate similar temporal cortex regions (Morris et al., 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Morris et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Most early fMRI studies of parental responsiveness have very small samples and detail few characteristics of mothers or fathers, making findings less reliable than some larger, newer studies.

    “Most early fMRI studies of parental responsiveness have very small samples and detail few characteristics of mothers or fathers making findings less reliable than some larger, newer studies.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There were also increases in cerebellum, left fusiform, and left occipital cortex, but decreases in the left amygdala (Bartels and Zeki, 2004).

    “There were also increases in cerebellum, left fusiform, and left occipital cortex, but decreases in the left amygdala.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bartels and Zeki, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Individual differences in maternal attachment experiences might be crucial to measure in future imaging studies and may be linked with development and integration of dopaminergic and oxytocinergic neuroendocrine systems in striatum and hypothalamus.

    “These results chime with effects of own parenting on fMRI activations to infant stimuli and suggesting that individual differences in maternal attachment experiences might also be crucial to measure in future imaging studies, and perhaps that they are linked with development and integration of dopaminergic and oxytocinergic neuroendocrine systems in striatum and hypothalamus.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Baby joy expressions across identity evoked mostly right limbic and paralimbic areas important to emotional processing, whereas ambiguous expressions elicited responses in left-sided, high order cognitive and motor areas (Lenzi et al., 2009).

    “They also reported that baby joy expressions across identity evoked mostly right limbic and paralimbic areas important to emotional processing, whereas ambiguous expressions elicited responses in left-sided, high order cognitive and motor areas”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lenzi et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Correlations were found in OFC with own baby-response and happiness, as well as to own distressed baby response in superior temporal regions (Noriuchi et al., 2008).

    “They also found correlations in OFC with own baby-response and happiness as well as to their own distressed baby response in superior temporal regions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Noriuchi et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Premisecitation

    In a study using silent video clips of own vs other infants in play or separation, increased activation associated with own baby pictures was confirmed in cortical orbitofrontal, anterior insula, and precuneus areas, as well as subcortical regions including periaqueductal gray and putamen (Noriuchi et al., 2008).

    “First, these authors confirmed increased activation associated with own baby pictures, in cortical orbitofrontal, anterior insula and precuneus areas, as well as subcortical regions including periaqueductal gray and putamen.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Noriuchi et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There were frontal lobe responses in emotion processing (medial prefrontal, anterior cingulate, insula cortex), cognition (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and motor/behavioral outputs (primary motor area) (Strathearn et al., 2008; Strathearn et al., 2005).

    “In addition, there were frontal lobe responses in emotion processing (medial prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and insula cortex), cognition (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and motor/behavioral outputs (primary motor area).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Strathearn et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Strathearn et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    When own vs other infant vignettes were compared, maternal synchrony was associated with significantly increased activity of left NAcc, while maternal intrusiveness was linked to activity of right amygdala (Atzil et al., 2012).

    “In another study, when own vs. other infant vignettes were compared, maternal synchrony was associated with significantly increased activity of left NAcc, while maternal intrusiveness was linked to activity of right amygdala (Atzil et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Atzil et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    We still know far too little about how or whether behavioral or neural correlates of maternal sensitivity/maternal responsiveness are modifiable.

    “We still know far too little about how or whether behavioral or neural correlates of maternal sensitivity/maternal responsiveness are modifiable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    In this experiment, it is unclear whether the pattern of brain response was a function of synchronous mothers or the viewing of a synchronous mother-infant interaction.

    “However, in this experiment, it is unclear whether this pattern of brain response was a function of synchronous mothers or the viewing of a synchronous mother–infant interaction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    There are important gaps in the evidence-base and significant inconsistencies between studies mean many questions remain to be answered.

    “In spite of this encouraging scenario, there are important gaps in the evidence-base and significant inconsistencies between studies mean many questions remain to be answered.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    We have reason to be cautiously optimistic given recent possible brain imaging studies where biomarkers for depression and its treatment are becoming established (Harmer et al., 2011).

    “However we have reason to be cautiously optimistic given recent possible brain imaging studies where biomarkers for depression and its treatment are becoming established (Harmer et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Harmer et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    It is difficult to design a study which can selectively examine or isolate the effects of severe chronic stress of poverty, young maternal age, and early life trauma, and no studies have yet focused on resilience or the rescuing of adversity following intervention.

    “It is difficult to design a study which can selectively examine or isolate the effects of, for example, the severe chronic stress of poverty, young maternal age and early life trauma, and no studies have yet focused on resilience or the rescuing of adversity following intervention.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    IPV-PTSD mothers vs healthy mothers reported greater stress to viewing separation vignettes; greater limbic and reduced fronto-cortical activity was observed in IPV-PTSD mothers relative to healthy mothers in separation vs play conditions, with reports of stress linking to neural findings (Schechter et al., 2012).

    “IPV–PTSD mothers vs. healthy mothers (11 vs. 9) reported greater stress to viewing separation vignettes, greater limbic and reduced fronto-cortical activity was observed in IPV–PTSD mothers relative to healthy mothers in separation vs. play conditions, with reports of stress to viewing separation linking to the neural findings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Schechter et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Evidence for a similar transition to maternity affected by hormonal exposure during pregnancy and childbirth in human mothers is notably less robust, but also supports a role for OT.

    “Evidence for a similar ‘transition to maternity’ affected by hormonal exposure during pregnancy and childbirth in human mothers is notably less robust, but also supports a role for OT.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Auditory and visual signals from preverbal infants can enhance brain regions important to recognition, emotion and motivation, reflexive caring behaviors, emotion regulation, and empathy/theory of mind toward sensitive caregiving and attachment, increasing the likelihood that the vulnerable infant will survive into adulthood and successfully navigate the social world and find a mate.

    “Auditory and visual signals from preverbal infants can enhance brain regions important to recognition, emotion and motivation (i), reflexive caring behaviors (ii), emotion regulation (iii), and empathy/theory of mind toward sensitive caregiving and attachment in order to increasing the likelihood that the vulnerable infant will survive into adulthood and successfully navigate the social world and”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Maternal adversity and/or substance misuse may specifically be associated with reduced activation in reward and emotion circuits, with some indication that top-down connectivity between PFC and limbic regions may be compromised.

    “These studies suggest that maternal adversity and/or substance misuse may specifically be associated with reduced activation in reward and emotion circuits, with some indication that top–down connectivity between the PFC and limbic regions also may be compromised (Moses-Kolko et al., 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Moses-Kolko et al., 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Maternal synchrony is positively correlated with maternal plasma OT level, while maternal intrusiveness is not (Atzil et al., 2011).

    “Maternal synchrony (“episodes when mother and infant coordinate their positive social engagement”) is also reported to be positively correlated with maternal plasma OT level, while maternal intrusiveness (“inappropriate response from mother”) is not (Atzil et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Atzil et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    The clinical implications of these studies are yet to be fully explored.

    “The clinical implications of these studies are yet to be fully explored.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Pre-existing primers are necessary to induce oxytocin-facilitated social bonding in monogamous Prairie voles; these primers can be gonadal hormones (e.g., estrogen), mating behaviors, or prolonged pre-exposure to a former stranger (Insel, 1997).

    “Similarly, pre-existing ‘primers’ are necessary to induce oxytocin-facilitated social bonding in monogamous Prairie voles, and, depending on the study designs, these primers can be gonadal hormones (e.g. estrogen), mating behaviors, or prolonged pre-exposure to a former stranger (for an early review, (Insel, 1997)).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Insel, 1997 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Processes such as cognitive flexibility, attention control, working memory, and the mother's ability to understand the intentions and emotions of her child (maternal mind-mindedness or empathy) are fundamental components of human mothering and highly dependent on PFC.

    “As outlined above, processes such as cognitive flexibility, attention control, working memory, and the mother’s ability to understand the intentions and emotions of her child (maternal mind-mindedness or empathy) are fundamental components of human mothering and highly dependent on PFC.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Processes such as cognitive flexibility, attention control, working memory, and maternal empathy are fundamental components of human mothering and highly dependent on PFC.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    This role of OT is influenced by an individual's previous experiences and difficulties in interpersonal relationships (Tabak et al., 2011), including difficulties with primary partner (Taylor et al., 2006), own infant (Feldman et al., 2011), or romantic partner (Marazziti et al., 2006).

    “Studies imply this role is influenced by an individual’s previous experiences and difficulties in interpersonal relationships (Tabak et al., 2011): difficulties in relationships with primary partner (Taylor et al., 2006), or own infant (i.e. interactive stress) (Feldman et al., 2011), or romantic partner (Marazziti et al., 2006).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Tabak et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Taylor et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Feldman et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Therapeutic uses of oxytocin are currently being investigated in other neuropsychiatric disorders associated with poor social cognition, including ASD, OCD, and schizophrenia (Bartz et al., 2011; Macdonald and Feifel, 2013).

    “Therapeutic uses of oxytocin are currently being investigated in other neuropsychiatric disorders associated with poor social cognition, including ASD, OCD and schizophrenia e.g. (Bartz et al., 2011; Macdonald and Feifel, 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bartz et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Macdonald and Feifel, 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Intranasal OT does not enhance approach/avoidance to social stimuli or exert a stronger effect on social vs. non-social stimuli in the context of processing emotional information.

    “a recent report finds intranasal OT does not enhance approach/avoidance to social stimuli or exert a stronger effect on social vs. non-social stimuli in the context of processing emotional information”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Theodoridou et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    A large and robust animal literature exists on OT's role in maternal care behavior, and an accumulating human literature associates plasma OT with a wide range of social and emotional stimuli, scenarios ranging from romantic love or marital distress to psychopathology to changes in plasma OT.

    “Overall, a large and robust animal literature exists on OT’s role in maternal care behavior and an accumulating human literature associates plasma OT with a wide range of social and emotional stimuli; scenarios, ranging from romantic love, or marital distress to psychopathology to changes in plasma OT.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    While animal models of maternal behavior are compelling and have identified key regions in a putative mothering circuit, human behaviors are undertaken in a far more complex environment.

    “While animal models of maternal behavior are compelling and have identified key regions in a putative mothering circuit, human behaviors are undertaken in a far more complex environment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Intranasal OT increases the salience of certain social stimuli and moderates salience of disgust stimuli.

    “but increases the salience of certain social stimuli and moderates salience of disgust stimuli (Theodoridou et al., 2013)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Theodoridou et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Empathic interactions can increase plasma OT levels and subsequent generosity in humans.

    “empathic interactions can similarly increase plasma OT levels and subsequent generosity in humans (Barraza and Zak, 2009)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Barraza and Zak, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In humans, OT is anxiolytic and reduces fear and stress (Ayers et al., 2011; Ishak et al., 2011).

    “Indeed, a well-established view has emerged that, in humans, OT is anxiolytic and reduces fear and stress (Ayers et al., 2011; Ishak et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Ayers et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Ishak et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Centrally administered oxytocin increases aggression to same-sex intruders after mating in monogamous Prairie voles, but not in non-monogamous Montane voles (Winslow et al., 1993).

    “First, oxytocin effects are moderated by robust, hard-wired neurobiological mechanisms; thus, centrally administered oxytocin increases aggression to same-sex intruders after mating in monogamous Prairie voles, but not in non-monogamous Montane voles (Winslow et al., 1993).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Winslow et al., 1993 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin administration increases within group cooperation and between group competition.

    “by increasing within group cooperation and between group competition (De Dreu, 2012a)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites De Dreu, 2012a

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    OT may serve an anxiolytic or anti-stress function in this particular experiment.

    “perhaps serving an anxiolytic or anti-stress function in this particular experiment (Heinrichs et al., 2003)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Heinrichs et al., 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Sex differences between mothers and fathers may relate to the establishment and maintenance of specific aspects of parent-infant relationship.

    “Sex differences between mothers and fathers may relate to the establishment and maintenance of specific aspects of parent-infant relationship”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Other hormones and their receptor systems, including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, endogenous opioids, are also important in the regulation of parenting and interact with OT.

    “Other hormones and their receptor systems, including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, endogenous opioids are also important in the regulation of parenting and interact with OT (Gordon et al., 2011; Lahey et al., 2012; Nowak et al., 2011; Swain et al., 2011)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gordon et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Lahey et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Nowak et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Maternal sensitivity is typically expressed by emotional warmth and support whereas paternal sensitivity frequently manifests as the provision of stimulating interactions.

    “maternal sensitivity is typically expressed by emotional warmth and support whereas paternal sensitivity frequently manifests as the provision of stimulating interactions (Grossmann et al., 2008)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Grossmann et al., 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In a time series analysis of 100 first-time mothers and fathers interacting with their 5-month-old firstborn child, mother-child play was characterized by face-to-face exchange and included patterns of mutual gazing, co-vocalization, and affectionate touch; father play was characterized by interactive arousal with quick peaks of high positive emotionality, including joint laughter and open exubera

    “Mother-child play was characterized by face-to-face exchange and included patterns of mutual gazing, co-vocalization, and affectionate touch. In contrast, during play with fathers, a pattern of interactive arousal was identified that contained several quick peaks of high positive emotionality, including joint laughter and open exuberance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Feldman, 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Effects of intranasal OT are likely not only sex-specific, but task specific and task-specific between sexes.

    “it is likely that effects are not only sex-specific, but task specific (some suggest OT does not change the salience of social-emotional cues) and task-specific between sexes (Ditzen et al., 2012)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ditzen et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    There may be some shared brain mechanisms between mothers and fathers, and some differences.

    “These data suggest that there may be some shared brain mechanisms between mothers and fathers, and some differences.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Intranasal drug administration is increasingly favored as an effective means of delivering molecules rapidly to brain.

    “intranasal drug administration is Increasingly favored as an effective means of delivering molecules rapidly to brain (Grassin-Delyle et al., 2012)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Grassin-Delyle et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Increased plasma OT in mothers following a social stress task occurred only when the mother held her baby before the task, but not if she did not.

    “reported increased plasma OT in mothers following a social stress task only when the mother held her baby before the task, but not if she did not.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Light et al., 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Activation relationship theory includes two dimensions of fathering that underlie the father-child relationship: stimulation and discipline.

    “This theory includes two dimensions of fathering that underlie the father-child relationship: 1) stimulation, wherein fathers encourage the child’s interaction with the outside world; and 2) discipline designed to provide children with limits that will maintain their safety (Paquette, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Paquette, 2004

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    OT occupies two physiologically distinct compartments (periphery and CSF) resulting in quite independent release patterns.

    “OT occupies two physiologically distinct compartments (periphery and CSF) resulting in quite independent release patterns.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kagerbauer et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Healthy men with low emotion regulation abilities benefit more from intranasal OT; those with high emotion regulating abilities do not.

    “but also benefit more from intranasal OT; whereas those with high emotion regulating abilities do not (Quirin et al., 2011)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Quirin et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

92 of 92

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The complex interaction of thoughts and behaviors required for sensitive parenting enables formation of each individual’s first social bonds and critically shapes infants’ behavior.

    “The complex interaction of thoughts and behaviors required for sensitive parenting of offspring enable formation of each individual’s first social bonds and critically shape infants’ behavior.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little is known about the cognitive or neurobiological mechanisms which underpin healthy sensitivity, let alone poor sensitivity in mothers with mental illness.

    “However, little is known about the cognitive or neurobiological mechanisms which underpin healthy sensitivity, let alone poor sensitivity in mothers with mental illness.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Very few studies have examined neural substrates of reward-related processes among mothers who display disrupted caregiving behavior.

    “Very few studies, however, have examined neural substrates of reward-related processes among mothers who display disrupted caregiving behavior.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Maternal sensitivity represents a pattern of behavior which provides the infant with its primary social experience.

    “Maternal sensitivity represents a pattern of behavior which provides the infant with its primary social experience.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Testosterone is metabolized to estradiol, which activates neural regions important for maternal motivation.

    “Testosterone is metabolized to estradiol, which activates neural regions important for maternal motivation.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Processes such as cognitive flexibility, attention control, working memory, and maternal empathy are fundamental components of human mothering and highly dependent on PFC.

    “processes such as cognitive flexibility, attention control, working memory, and the mother’s ability to understand the intentions and emotions of her child (maternal mind-mindedness or empathy) are fundamental components of human mothering and highly dependent on PFC.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Affiliation/attachment styles are genetically and/or environmentally determined.

    “genetically and/or environmentally determined affiliation/attachment styles”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Oxytocin administration effects in humans are analogous to those in monogamous Prairie vole and non-monogamous Montane vole.

    “much like with the monogamous Prairie vole and non-monogamous Montane vole”
8 of 8

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In humans, the neural circuitry of parental care involves several levels of socio-cognitive and emotional processes.

    “In humans, the neural circuitry of parental care is much more sophisticated than in rodent species and involves several levels of socio-cognitive and emotional processes (Feldman 2015; Swain et al. 2014).”

    From A precision medicine approach to oxytocin trials (2017) · cites this paper as Swain et al. 2014

  • The motivational and emotional aspects of human parenting involve reward and subcortical brain networks including amygdala, hypothalamus, NAcc, VTA, striatum, and substantia nigra.

    “Similar to rodent species, the motivational and emotional aspects of human parenting involve the reward and subcortical brain networks that include amygdala, hypothalamus, NAcc, VTA, striatum, and substantia nigra (Swain et al. 2014).”

    From A precision medicine approach to oxytocin trials (2017) · cites this paper as Swain et al. 2014

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Reflexive caring is assigned to two different circuit modules

    Minor

    The father-brain section labels reflexive caring as module (i), but elsewhere in the same section labels it module (ii).

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Bowlby, 1973, Attachment and loss, vol. 2
  2. Kim, 2014, Neural plasticity in human fathers׳ brains: associations with depressive moods and parenting, Soc. Neurosci.
  3. Strathearn, 2005, An fMRI study of maternal mentalization: having the baby׳s mind in mind, Neuroimage, 26
  4. Swain, 2011, Brain Imaging of Human Parent–Infant Relationships, Arch. Women׳s Ment. Health, 14, s93
  5. Swain, 2003, The neural circuitry of parent–infant attachment in the early postpartum, Am. Coll. Neuropsychopharmacol
  6. Swain, 2004, Neural substrates of human parent–infant attachment in the postpartum, Biol. Psychiatry, 55, 153s
  7. Swain, 2014, Functional brain activations of parents listening to their own baby-cry change over the early postpartum, Dev. Psychobiol.
  8. Swain, 2005, Early human parent-infant bond development: fMRI, thoughts and behaviors, Biol. Psychiatry, 57, 112s
  9. Swain, 2006, Own baby pictures induce parental brain activations according to psychology, experience and postpartum timing, Biol. Psychiatry, 59, 126s

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Authors
Swain, J. E., Kim, P., Spicer, J., Ho, S. S., Dayton, C. J., Elmadih, A., & Abel, K. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Michigan (US)
  • University of Denver (US)
  • Columbia University (US)
  • Wayne State University (US)
  • Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB)
Corresponding author
Swain, J.E.
ORCID
Venue
Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-09
Volume
1580
Pages
78-101
ISSN
0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.brainres.2014.03.007
PMC
PMC4157077
OpenAlex
W2133287819
Semantic Scholar
138a2d1eb16ea88dcd0e551b216046cc502177e0
Cited by
290
References
241
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 7
FWCI
47.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - DU (University of Denver) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression/Brain and Behavior Foundation
  • Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation
  • NIMHD/NICHD (RC2MD004767-01)
  • Michigan Institute for Clinical Health Research
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR000433)
  • Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholar Award
  • NIMH (5T32MH018264-28)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords
parental attachment, parent-infant interaction, oxytocin, cortico-limbic network, infant cues, maternal mental illness, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, parental sensitivity, caregiver behavior, emotion regulation
MeSH terms
Brain, Father-Child Relations, Female, Humans, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Oxytocin

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