The plasticity of human maternal brain: Longitudinal changes in brain anatomy during the early postpartum period
Open accessAbstract
Animal studies suggest that structural changes occur in the maternal brain during the early postpartum period in regions such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, parietal lobe, and prefrontal cortex and such changes are related to the expression of maternal behaviors. In an attempt to explore this in humans, we conducted a prospective longitudinal study to examine gray matter changes using voxel-based morphometry on high resolution magnetic resonance images of mothers' brains at two time points: 2-4 weeks postpartum and 3-4 months postpartum. Comparing gray matter volumes across these two time points, we found increases in gray matter volume of the prefrontal cortex, parietal lobes, and midbrain areas. Increased gray matter volume in the midbrain including the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, and amygdala was associated with maternal positive perception of her baby. These results suggest that the first months of motherhood in humans are accompanied by structural changes in brain regions implicated in maternal motivation and behaviors.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
In a prospective longitudinal MRI study of 19 mothers, gray matter volume increased from 2–4 weeks to 3–4 months postpartum in prefrontal, parietal, and midbrain regions. Mothers’ positive perception of their baby at Time 1 predicted gray matter increase in a midbrain cluster including hypothalamus, amygdala, and substantia nigra.
Key findings
- From Time 1 (2–4 weeks postpartum) to Time 2 (3–4 months postpartum), mothers showed increased gray matter volume in superior, middle, and inferior prefrontal cortex, precentral and postcentral gyrus, superior and inferior parietal lobe, insula, and thalamus, p < .05 FDR corrected, >100 voxels; no region showed decreased gray matter volume.
- Positive thoughts on baby at Time 1 averaged 6.11 (SD = 2.83; range 1–12) and significantly predicted gray matter volume change in a midbrain cluster including hypothalamus, amygdala, and substantia nigra, controlling for parenting experience and scan interval, β = .44, p = .01.
- Positive thoughts on parenting averaged 8.21 (SD = 7.71; range 1–32) and did not significantly predict gray matter changes in the same midbrain region.
Methods
- Prospective longitudinal study of 19 biological mothers of full-term, healthy infants (mean age = 33.27, SD = 6.07), recruited at Yale-New Haven Hospital; all were right-handed, Caucasian, married or cohabiting, and breastfeeding.
- High-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans were obtained at 2–4 weeks postpartum (Time 1) and 3–4 months postpartum (Time 2), with an average interval of 76.53 days (SD = 9.88).
- Optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) with paired t tests tested gray matter changes; whole-brain significance used FDR 5% and extent threshold of 100 voxels. Multiple regression tested associations between YIPTA-R positive thoughts on parenting/baby and midbrain gray matter volume changes, controlling for parenting experience and scan interval.
Limitations
- The paper states the sample is relatively small and requires replication in larger groups; causal directionality is not clear; maternal behaviors were measured by subjective reports; and VBM has limited ability to interpret microstructural/functional nature of findings.
- The paper notes the sample included healthy mothers of healthy infants in supportive environments, so mothers with genetic/environmental risk factors may show different patterns.
- The paper states other factors should be monitored in future studies, including hormones, pregnancy stress, menstrual cycle changes, hydration, weight, and nutritional status; it also suggests future studies include pregnancy baseline scans and comparisons with age-matched women without parenting experience.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 43 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
Positive thoughts on parenting did not significantly predict gray matter changes in the same midbrain region.
“The positive thoughts on parenting did not significantly predict the gray matter changes in the same region.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Mothers' positive thoughts on baby at Time 1 significantly predicted gray matter volume change from Time 1 to Time 2 in a cluster of the midbrain including hypothalamus, amygdala, and substantia nigra, controlling for parenting experience and scan interval, β = .44, p = .01.
“The mother’s positive perception of her baby at Time 1 significantly predicted gray matter volume change from Time 1 to Time 2 in a cluster of the midbrain including hypothalamus, amygdala, and substantia nigra, controlling for parenting experience and scan interval, β = .44, p = .01”
- Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
“Increased gray matter volume in the midbrain including the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, and amygdala was associated with maternal positive perception of her baby.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
- Findingown data
No brain region showed a decrease in gray matter volumes from Time 1 to Time 2.
“No brain region showed a decrease in gray matter volumes from Time 1 to Time 2, p < .05 (FDR corrected), > 100 voxels.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
From Time 1 (2-4 weeks postpartum) to Time 2 (3-4 months postpartum), mothers showed an increase in gray matter volume in a number of brain regions including superior, middle and inferior prefrontal cortex, precentral and postcentral gyrus, superior and inferior parietal lobe, insula and thalamus.
“Optimized whole brain VBM analyses revealed that from Time 1 (2–4 weeks postpartum) to Time 2 (3–4 months postpartum), mothers showed an increase in gray matter volume in a number of brain regions including superior, middle and inferior prefrontal cortex, precentral and postcentral gyrus, superior and inferior parietal lobe, insula and thalamus, p < .05 (FDR corrected), > 100 voxels”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Mothers showed increases in gray matter volume during the early postpartum period in several key maternal motivation and behavior regions including bilateral hypothalamus, amygdala, substantia nigra, and globus pallidus.
“Several key maternal motivation and behavior regions including bilateral hypothalamus, amygdala, substantia nigra, and globus pallidus showed increases in gray matter volume during the early postpartum period.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Interpretationown data
Interactions with the infant during the first postpartum months may be associated with the increased gray matter volumes in the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and amygdala.
“Thus, interactions with the infant during the first postpartum months may be associated with the increased gray matter volumes in the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and amygdala”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The current group differences in the VBM measure indicate an increase in regional gray matter volume.
“With this caveat in mind, we consider that the current group differences in the VBM measure indicate an increase in regional gray matter volume.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The first months of motherhood in humans are accompanied by structural changes in brain regions implicated in maternal motivation and behaviors.
“These results suggest that the first months of motherhood in humans are accompanied by structural changes in brain regions implicated in maternal motivation and behaviors.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The mother's positive feelings on her baby may facilitate the increased levels of gray matter volume.
“Thus, the mother’s positive feelings on her baby may facilitate the increased levels of gray matter volume.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The increased gray matter volumes in the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and amygdala may help mothers activate their maternal motivation and respond to infant cues.
“Thus, interactions with the infant during the first postpartum months may be associated with the increased gray matter volumes in the hypothalamus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus, and amygdala may help the mothers activate their maternal motivation and respond to infant cues.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
These findings may provide evidence that changes in parent brain structure require exposure to infant-related stimuli.
“These findings may provide evidence that these changes in parent brain structure require exposure to infant-related stimuli.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
fMRI studies with human mothers have shown that greater substantia nigra responses to infant stimuli were correlated with the mother's self-reported positive emotional reactions to infant stimuli.
“fMRI studies with human mothers have similarly shown that greater substantia nigra responses to infant stimuli were correlated with the mother’s self-reported positive emotional reactions to infant stimuli”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Bartels & Zeki, 2004
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Noriuchi et al., 2007
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
In rats, a rich amount of olfactory, auditory, somatosensorial, and visual information during physical interactions with pups and suckling stimuli during nursing were associated with the reorganization of the thalamus, parietal lobe, and somatosensory cortex in lactating mothers.
“In rats, a rich amount of olfactory, auditory, somatosensorial, and visual information during physical interactions with pups and suckling stimuli during nursing were associated with the reorganization of the thalamus, parietal lobe, and someosensory cortex in lactating mothers”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Kinsley et al., 2008
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lonstein et al., 1998
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Xerri et al., 1994
Not checked in the free run.
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 27
- May combine two claims. 12
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe right substantia nigra is a key region of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system responsible for processing reward signals.
“An increase in gray matter volumes was also found in the right substantia nigra, a key region of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system responsible for processing reward signals”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Schultz, Dayan, & Montague, 1997
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisenone givenActivations of the amygdala, particularly the medial amygdala, inhibit maternal responses to pup in virgin rats.
“Activations of the amygdala, particularly the medial amygdala, inhibit maternal responses to pup in virgin rats.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningOur findings on the plasticity of the parental brain demonstrate normative changes among human mothers since the sample included healthy mothers of healthy infants who lived in supportive environments.
“Finally, our findings on the plasticity of the parental brain demonstrate normative changes among human mothers since the sample included healthy mothers of healthy infants who lived in supportive environments.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The sample of healthy mothers of healthy infants living in supportive environments is representative of normative human mothers.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe prefrontal cortex is involved in integrating these information and monitoring parental behaviors.
“The prefrontal cortex is involved in integrating these information and monitoring parental behaviors”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Afonso, Sison, Lovic, & Fleming, 2007
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAnimal studies suggest that once mothers are exposed to their offspring, pathways involving the medial amygdala may be a key to consolidating maternal learning about the infant.
“However, animal studies suggest that once mothers are exposed to their offspring, such pathways involving the medial amygdala may be a key to consolidating maternal learning about the infant”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Fleming, Gavarth, & Sarker, 1992
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Mayes, 2006
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationIn human mothers, recent fMRI brain studies have reported that many brain regions including substantia nigra, amygdala, thalamus, parietal cortex, and prefrontal cortex were activated in response to infant-related stimuli, supporting the role of these brain areas for the development and expression of parenting behaviors.
“In human mothers, recent functional MRI (fMRI) brain studies have reported that many of these brain regions including substantia nigra, amygdala, thalamus, parietal cortex, and prefrontal cortex were activated in response to infant-related stimuli, supporting the role of these brain areas for the development and expression of parenting behaviors”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Lenzi et al., 2008
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lorberbaum et al., 2002
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Noriuchi et al., 2008
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationcitationThe increase in regional gray matter volume may be attributed to enlarged neuropil, neuronal size, or extended dendritic, or axonal arborization.
“This increase may be attributed to enlarged neuropil, neuronal size, or extended dendritic, or axonal arborization”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Ashburner & Friston, 2001
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Draganski & May, 2008
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Study design and conductcitationStatistical significance was defined using a whole-brain false-discovery-rate (FDR) of 5% and an extent threshold of 100 voxels after multiple comparison correction.
“Statistical significance was defined using a whole-brain false-discovery-rate (FDR) of 5% (p < .05) and an extent threshold of 100 voxels after multiple comparison correction”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Genovese, Lazar, & Nichols, 2002
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe animal literature underlines the importance of these structures for parenting and lesions in the hypothalamus including MPOA impairs maternal motivation and in the MPOA regions increase the likelihood of infanticide.
“The animal literature underlines the importance of these structures for parenting and lesions in the hypothalamus including MPOA impairs maternal motivation and in the MPOA regions increase the likelihood of infanticide”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Flannelly et al., 1986
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Novakova et al., 1993
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenThe study has a relatively small sample size and requires replication in larger groups.
“First, although the findings are in accord with animal literature, the study has a relatively small sample size and requires replication in larger groups.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenInterpreting the microstructural and functional nature of the VBM findings is limited.
“Third, although VBM is an increasingly widely used tool to examine changes in brain structure among healthy and clinical population (Good et al., 2001; Rüsch et al., 2003), interpreting the microstructural and functional nature of the findings is limited.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationreasoningThe increase in gray matter volumes in the PFC reported here is associated with the mothers' adaptation to orchestrate a new and increased repertoire of complex interactive behaviors with infants during the early postpartum.
“Thus, it is possible that the increase in gray matter volumes in the PFC reported here is associated with the mothers’ adaptation to orchestrate a new and increased repertoire of complex interactive behaviors with infants during the early postpartum.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationThe amount of experience interacting with pups was correlated with enhanced c-fos expression and cortical representation in the hypothalamus (MPOA), basolateral amygdala, parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex of rat mothers.
“For example, the amount of experience interacting with their pups was correlated with enhanced c-fos expression and cortical representation in the hypothalamus (MPOA), basolateral amygdala, parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex of rat mothers”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Featherstone et al., 2000
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Fleming & Korsmit, 1996
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Kinsley et al., 1999
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe ventral pallidum, a part of the globus pallidus, receives inputs from substantia nigra and regulates motor activities and behavioral reactivity.
“The ventral pallidum, a part of the globus pallidus, receives inputs from substantia nigra and regulates motor activities and behavioral reactivity”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Nestler, 2001
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe causal directionality of the association between infant experience and structural development in parental brain areas is not clear.
“Second, although our finding suggest that experience with infants during the first few months is associated with structural development in brain areas that are important for parental motivation and behaviors, the causal directionality is not clear.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataParenting experience and scan interval were included as control variables in the VBM analysis.
“Parenting experience (primiparous = −0.5; multiparous = 0.5) and scan interval were included as a control variable.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Interpretationnone givenThe findings are in accord with animal literature.
“although the findings are in accord with animal literature”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationAnimal studies have shown that increased interactions with pups over time during the early postpartum period lead to structural changes in the maternal brain.
“Animal studies have shown that increased interactions with pups over time during the early postpartum period lead to structural changes in the maternal brain.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Featherstone et al., 2000
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Fleming & Korsmit, 1996
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Kinsley et al., 1999
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAmygdala activations have been found to be important for maternal behaviors in rodents and nonhuman primates.
“Finally, amygdala activations has been found to be important for maternal behaviors in rodents and nonhuman primates”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Kling & Steklis, 1976
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Sheehan et al., 2001
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenMaternal behaviors were measured based on mothers' subjective reports.
“Also, we measure maternal behaviors based on mothers’ subjective reports.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationStructural reorganization in the MPOA was sensitive to postpartum experience; increased amount of interactions with pups was associated with greater density in MPOA in rat mothers.
“Structural reorganization in the MPOA was also found to be sensitive to postpartum experience; the increased amount of interactions with pups was associated with greater density in MPOA in rat mothers”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Featherstone et al., 2000
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Fleming & Korsmit, 1996
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lonstein et al., 1998
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationLesion studies have shown that the medial preoptic areas (MPOA) and its connections with the mesolimbic dopamine system for reward processing play a critical role in maternal motivation.
“For example, lesion studies have shown that the medial preoptic areas (MPOA), located in the rostral hypothalamus, and its connections with the mesolimbic dopamine system for reward processing play a critical role in maternal motivation”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Numan & Insel, 2003
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Swain et al., 2004
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationHypothalamus and globus pallidus have previously been implicated in maternal responses to infant stimuli in humans.
“Hypothalamus and globus pallidus have previously been implicated in maternal responses to infant stimuli in humans”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Bartels & Zeki, 2004
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Lorberbaum et al., 2002
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe thalamus, parietal cortex, and brainstem serve important functions for the processing of infant-related somatosensory information, such as smell, touch, and vocalizations.
“The thalamus, parietal cortex, and brainstem also serve important functions for the processing of infant-related sometosensory information, such as smell, touch, and vocalizations”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Xerri, Stern, & Merzenich, 1994
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe YIPTA-R positive thoughts on baby and positive thoughts on parenting subscales had Cronbach's alpha reliability of .78 and .85, respectively.
“Cronbach’s alpha value for the reliability was .78 for positive thoughts on baby, and .85 for positive thoughts on parenting.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThese changes in the parietal cortex only occurred when mothers interacted with their pups but not when they were only exposed to the pups' smells or sounds.
“Moreover, these changes in the parietal cortex only occurred when mothers interacted with their pups but not when they were only exposed to the pups’ smells or sounds”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Fleming & Korsmit, 1996
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationChanges in menstrual cycles or in hydration, weight and nutritional status may produce alterations in brain structure.
“Other factors such as changes in menstrual cycles (Protopopescu et al., 2008) or in hydration, weight and nutritional status (Castro-Fornieles et al., 2009; Raji et al., 2010) may also produce alterations in the brain structure.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Protopopescu et al., 2008
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Castro-Fornieles et al., 2009
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Raji et al., 2010
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationMother rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions exhibited deficits in certain maternal behaviors such as pup retrievals and licking behavior, but not in nest building or pup mouthing.
“Afonso and colleagues (2007) found that mother rats with medial prefrontal cortex lesions exhibited deficits in a certain maternal behaviors such as pup retrievals and licking behavior, but not in nest building or pup mouthing.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Afonso et al., 2007
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationAnimal studies demonstrate that hormones including estrogen, oxytocin, and prolactin act in several brain areas to activate maternal behaviors in response to infant-related stimuli and changes in these hormones during the early postpartum period affect anatomical changes.
“Animal studies demonstrate that hormones including estrogen, oxytocin, and prolactin act in several brain areas to activate maternal behaviors in response to infant-related stimuli (Pedersen, Caldwell, Peterson, Walker, & Mason, 1992; Wamboldt & Insel, 1987) and changes in these hormones during the early postpartum period affect anatomical changes (Rosenblatt, 2002).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Pedersen et al., 1992
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Wamboldt & Insel, 1987
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Rosenblatt, 2002
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationGreater activations in frontal regions including superior and middle frontal gyrus (BA 9, 10) and medial frontal gyrus (BA8) have been found in almost every fMRI study of human mothers' responses to infant stimuli.
“greater activations in frontal regions including superior and middle frontal gyrus (BA 9, 10) and medial frontal guys (BA8) have been found in almost every fMRI study of human mothers’ responses to infant stimuli”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Swain et al., 2007
Not checked in the free run.
The paper relies on this without support.
The hypothesis that similar structural changes occur in the brain of human mothers during the early postpartum period has not been rigorously tested in human mothers yet.
“However, this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested in human mothers yet.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The sample of healthy mothers of healthy infants living in supportive environments is representative of normative human mothers.
“our findings on the plasticity of the parental brain demonstrate normative changes among human mothers since the sample included healthy mothers of healthy infants who lived in supportive environments.”
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?
There is significant maternal neurobiological reorganization during the postpartum period.
“Given data from human (Kim et al., 2010) and animal (Olazábal et al., 2013) studies that there is significant maternal neurobiological reorganization during the postpartum period”
From Investigating the association between parental reflective functioning and distress tolerance in motherhood. (2015) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2010
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.
Noriuchi citation year differs from the reference list
MinorThe discussion cites Noriuchi et al. as 2007, but the paper's Noriuchi reference is dated 2008.
“(Bartels & Zeki, 2004; Noriuchi et al., 2007)”
“32. Noriuchi M Kikuchi Y Senoo A 2008 The functional neuroanatomy of maternal love: Mother’s response to infant’s attachment behaviors”
Ashburner and Friston citation year differs from the reference list
MinorThe discussion cites Ashburner and Friston as 2001, but their listed reference is dated 2000.
“(Ashburner & Friston, 2001; Draganski & May, 2008)”
“2. Ashburner J Friston KJ 2000 Voxel-based morphometry–the methods”
Cites
Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: Twenty-five years of evaluation
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Carbin, M. G. (1988) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/0272-7358(88)90050-5 · Cited by 11,696 · see citing works
A neural substrate of prediction and reward
Schultz, W., Dayan, P., & Montague, P. R. (1997) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.275.5306.1593 · Cited by 9,388 · see citing works
Voxel-Based Morphometry—The Methods
Ashburner, J., & Friston, K. J. (2000) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1006/nimg.2000.0582 · Cited by 8,676 · see citing works
Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: central role of the brain
McEwen, B. S. (2007) · Physiological Reviews · doi:10.1152/physrev.00041.2006 · Cited by 4,981 · cited 2× · see citing works
“amygdala, hypothalamus, and PFC (McEwen, 2007).”
BackgroundThresholding of statistical maps in functional neuroimaging using the false discovery rate
Genovese, C. R., Lazar, N. A., & Nichols, T. (2002) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1006/nimg.2001.1037 · Cited by 4,923 · see citing works
A Voxel-Based Morphometric Study of Ageing in 465 Normal Adult Human Brains
Good, C. D., Johnsrude, I. S., Ashburner, J., Henson, R. N. A., Friston, K. J., & Frackowiak, R. S. J. (2001) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1006/nimg.2001.0786 · Cited by 4,561 · see citing works
Nongenomic Transmission Across Generations of Maternal Behavior and Stress Responses in the Rat
Francis, D., Diorio, J., Liu, D., & Meaney, M. J. (1999) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.286.5442.1155 · Cited by 1,965 · see citing works
Molecular basis of long-term plasticity underlying addiction
Nestler, E. J. (2001) · Nature reviews. Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/35053570 · Cited by 1,857 · see citing works
The neural correlates of maternal and romantic love
Bartels, A., & Zeki, S. (2004) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.11.003 · Cited by 1,448 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Hypothalamus and globus pallidus have previously been implicated in maternal responses to infant stimuli in humans (Bartels & Zeki, 2004; Lorberbaum et al., 2002 ).”
BackgroundResultBornstein, M. H. (2002) · Cited by 1,034 · see citing works
Voxel-Based Morphometry of the Human Brain: Methods and Applications
Mechelli, A., Price, C. J., Friston, K. J., & Ashburner, J. (2005) · Current Medical Imaging Formerly Current Medical Imaging Reviews · doi:10.2174/1573405054038726 · Cited by 846 · see citing works
Adult attachment predicts maternal brain and oxytocin response to infant cues.
Strathearn, L., Fonagy, P., Amico, J., & Montague, P. R. (2009) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2009.103 · Cited by 773 · see citing works
Feldman, R., Granat, A., Pariente, C., Kanety, H., Kuint, J., & Gilboa-Schechtman, E. (2009) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e3181b21651 · Cited by 747 · see citing works
Self-citationRaji, C. A., Ho, A. J., Parikshak, N., Becker, J. T., López, O. L., Kuller, L. H., Hua, X., Leow, A., Toga, A. W., & Thompson, P. M. (2009) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.20870 · Cited by 692 · see citing works
The Neurobiology of Parental Behavior
(2003) · Hormones, Brain, and Behavior · doi:10.1007/b97533 · Cited by 684 · see citing works
Swain, J. E., Lorberbaum, J. P., Kose, S., & Strathearn, L. (2007) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01731.x · Cited by 499 · see citing works
Self-citationWhat’s in a smile? Maternal brain responses to infant facial cues
Strathearn, L., Li, J., Fonagy, P., & Montague, P. R. (2008) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2007-1566 · Cited by 460 · see citing works
Changes in Gray Matter Induced by Learning—Revisited
Driemeyer, J., Boyke, J., Christian Gaser, B., Büchel, C., & May, A. (2008) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002669 · Cited by 440 · see citing works
Training-induced structural changes in the adult human brain
Draganski, B., & May, A. (2008) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2008.02.015 · Cited by 437 · see citing works
Champagne, F. A., Chretien, P., Stevenson, C. W., Zhang, T. Y., Gratton, A., & Meaney, M. J. (2004) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.5322-03.2004 · Cited by 398 · see citing works
A potential role for thalamocingulate circuitry in human maternal behavior
Lorberbaum, J. P., Newman, J. D., Horwitz, A. R., Dubno, J. R., Lydiard, R. B., Hamner, M. B., Bohning, D. E., & George, M. S. (2002) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(01)01284-7 · Cited by 359 · see citing works
The Functional Neuroanatomy of Maternal Love: Mother’s Response to Infant’s Attachment Behaviors
Noriuchi, M., Kikuchi, Y., & Senoo, A. (2008) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.05.018 · Cited by 334 · see citing works
Motherhood improves learning and memory
Kinsley, C. H., Madonia, L., Gifford, G. W., Tureski, K., Griffin, G. R., Lowry, C., Williams, J., Collins, J., McLearie, H., & Lambert, K. G. (1999) · Nature · doi:10.1038/45957 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Hippocampal structural changes across the menstrual cycle
Protopopescu, X., Butler, T., Pan, H., Root, J. C., Altemus, M. M., Polanecsky, M., McEwen, B. S., Silbersweig, D., & Stern, E. R. (2008) · Hippocampus · doi:10.1002/hipo.20468 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Forebrain expression of c-fos due to active maternal behaviour in lactating rats
Lonstein, J. S., Simmons, D. A., Swann, J. M., & Stern, J. M. (1997) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(97)00283-2 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
A Neural Substrate for Affiliative Behavior in Nonhuman Primates
Kling, A., & Steklis, H. D. (2008) · Brain Behavior and Evolution · doi:10.1159/000123811 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
Leckman, J. F., Mayes, L. C., Feldman, R., Evans, D. W., King, R. A., & Cohen, D. J. (1999) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10951.x · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Self-citationMaternal brain response to own baby‐cry is affected by cesarean section delivery
Swain, J. E., Tasgin, E., Mayes, L. C., Feldman, R., Todd Constable, R., & Leckman, J. F. (2008) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01963.x · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Self-citationA voxel-based morphometric MRI study in female patients with borderline personality disorder
Rüsch, N., van Elst, L. T., Ludäscher, P., Wilke, M., Huppertz, H., Thiel, T., Schmahl, C. G., Bohus, M., Lieb, K., Heßlinger, B., et al. (2003) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/s1053-8119(03)00297-0 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
A cross-sectional and follow-up voxel-based morphometric MRI study in adolescent anorexia nervosa
Castro‐Fornieles, J., Bargalló, N., Lázaro, L., Andrés, S., Falcón, C., Plana, M. T., & Junqué, C. (2008) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.03.013 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Lenzi, D., Trentini, C., Pantano, P., Macaluso, E., Iacoboni, M., Lenzi, G. L., & Ammaniti, M. (2009) · Cerebral Cortex · doi:10.1093/cercor/bhn153 · Cited by 174 · see citing works
Alterations of the cortical representation of the rat ventrum induced by nursing behavior
Xerri, C., Stern, J. M., & Merzenich, M. M. (1994) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.14-03-01710.1994 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Sheehan, T. P., Paul, M., Amaral, E., Numan, M. J., & Numan, M. J. (2001) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(01)00286-x · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Afonso, V. M., Sison, M., Lovic, V., & Fleming, A. S. (2007) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/0735-7044.121.3.515 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Perceived quality of maternal care in childhood and structure and function of mothers' brain
Kim, P., Leckman, J. F., Mayes, L. C., Newman, M., Feldman, R., & Swain, J. E. (2009) · Developmental Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00923.x · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Self-citationFleming, A. S., & Korsmit, M. (1996) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037//0735-7044.110.3.567 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Ganzel, B. L., Kim, P., Glover, G. H., & Temple, E. (2008) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.12.010 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Self-citationOxytocin Activation of Maternal Behavior in the Rata
Pedersen, C. A., Caldwell, J. D., Peterson, G. W., Walker, C. H., & Mason, G. (1992) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb34346.x · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Wamboldt, M. Z., & Insel, T. R. (1987) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037//0735-7044.101.3.439 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Wamboldt, M. Z., & Insel, T. R. (1987) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037/0735-7044.101.3.439 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Motherhood Induces and Maintains Behavioral and Neural Plasticity across the Lifespan in the Rat
Kinsley, C. H., Bardi, M., Karelina, K., Rima, B., Christon, L., Friedenberg, J. M., & Griffin, G. R. (2007) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9277-x · Cited by 80 · see citing works
MAYES, L. C. (2006) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1196/annals.1376.018 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Self-citationFeatherstone, R. E., Fleming, A. S., & Ivy, G. O. (2000) · Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.1037//0735-7044.114.1.158 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Fleming, A. S., Gavarth, K., & Sarker, J. (1992) · Behavioral and Neural Biology · doi:10.1016/0163-1047(92)90122-k · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Effects of septal-forebrain lesions on maternal aggression and maternal care
Flannelly, K. J., Kemble, E. D., Blanchard, D. C., & Blanchard, R. J. (1986) · Behavioral and Neural Biology · doi:10.1016/s0163-1047(86)80002-4 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Maternal behaviour in septal rat females.
Novakova, V., Šterc, J., Kuchár, S., & Mozeš, Š. (1993) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Brett M Anton J Valabregue R Poline J 2002 6 Region of interest analysis using an SPM toolbox [abstract] Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Functional Mapping of the Human Brain Sendai, Japan
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure
Hoekzema, E., Barba-Müller, E., Pozzobon, C., Picado, M., Lucco, F., García-García, D., Soliva, J. C., Tobeña, A., Desco, M., Crone, E. A., et al. (2017) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn.4458 · Cited by 788 · see citing works
The adaptive human parental brain: implications for children's social development
Feldman, R. (2015) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/j.tins.2015.04.004 · Cited by 419 · see citing works
Self-citationStructural brain plasticity in adult learning and development
Lövdén, M., Wenger, E., Mårtensson, J., Lindenberger, U., & Bäckman, L. (2013) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.02.014 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity
Kim, P., Feldman, R., Mayes, L. C., Eicher, V., Thompson, N., Leckman, J. F., & Swain, J. E. (2011) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02406.x · Cited by 386 · see citing works
Self-citationFather’s brain is sensitive to childcare experiences
Abraham, E., Hendler, T., Shapira-Lichter, I., Kanat-Maymon, Y., Zagoory-Sharon, O., & Feldman, R. (2014) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1402569111 · Cited by 343 · see citing works
Self-citationCognitive Impairment Induced by Lead Exposure during Lifespan: Mechanisms of Lead Neurotoxicity
Ortega, D. R., González‐Esquivel, D. F., Ayala, T. B., Pineda, B., Gómez‐Manzo, S., Marcial‐Quino, J., Carrillo-Mora, P. U., & de la Cruz, V. P. (2021) · Toxics · doi:10.3390/toxics9020023 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
The transition to parenthood as a critical window for adult health.
Saxbe, D., Rossin-Slater, M., & Goldenberg, D. (2018) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/amp0000376 · Cited by 315 · see citing works
On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond
Kringelbach, M. L., Stark, E. A., Alexander, C., Bornstein, M. H., & Stein, A. L. (2016) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
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.2014.03.007 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Self-citationVismara, L., Rollè, L., Agostini, F., Sechi, C., Fenaroli, V., Molgora, S., Neri, E., Prino, L. E., Odorisio, F., Trovato, A., et al. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00938 · Cited by 292 · see citing works
Neuroscience of human social interactions and adult attachment style
Vrtička, P., & Vuilleumier, P. (2012) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2012.00212 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
“…gray matter volume and brain activations to own infant cries in mothers in the early postpartum period, who were divided into two groups according to their perceived maternal care scores (Kim et al., 2010b), a measure reflecting differences along secure versus insecure attachment dimensions.”
BackgroundInfluentialEffect of Home Visiting by Nurses on Maternal and Child Mortality
Olds, D. L., Kitzman, H. J., Knudtson, M. D., Anson, E. A., Smith, J. A. V. D. L., & Cole, R. (2014) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.472 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans
Kim, P., Strathearn, L., & Swain, J. E. (2016) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.001 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
Self-citationBarba‐Müller, E., Craddock, S., Carmona, S., & Hoekzema, E. A. (2018) · Archives of Women s Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s00737-018-0889-z · Cited by 240 · see citing works
The human parental brain: In vivo neuroimaging
Swain, J. E. (2011) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.10.017 · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Self-citationAtzil, S., Hendler, T., Zagoory-Sharon, O., Winetraub, Y., & Feldman, R. (2012) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2012.06.008 · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Self-citationBornstein, M. H. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118963418.childpsy403 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
The neurobiology of mammalian parenting and the biosocial context of human caregiving
Feldman, R. (2015) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.10.001 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Self-citationPoromaa, I. S., Comasco, E., Sumner, R. L., & Eileen Luders, A. (2020) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100856 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
Behavior genetics and postgenomics
Charney, E. (2012) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x11002226 · Cited by 207 · see citing works
Poverty and language development: roles of parenting and stress.
Perkins, S. C., Finegood, E. D., & Swain, J. E. (2013) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 167 · see citing works
Self-citationThe neural mechanisms and consequences of paternal caregiving
Feldman, R., Braun, K., & Champagne, F. A. (2019) · Nature reviews. Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/s41583-019-0124-6 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Self-citationNeural plasticity in fathers of human infants
Kim, P., Rigo, P., Mayes, L. C., Feldman, R., Leckman, J. F., & Swain, J. E. (2014) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2014.933713 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Self-citationAdverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relation to Parenting Stress and Parenting Practices
Lange, B. C. L., Callinan, L. S., & Smith, M. V. (2018) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-018-0331-z · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Population-based neuroimaging reveals traces of childbirth in the maternal brain
de Lange, A. G., Kaufmann, T., van der Meer, D., Maglanoc, L. A., Alnæs, D., Moberget, T., Douaud, G., Andreassen, O. A., & Westlye, L. T. (2019) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1910666116 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Shaping of the Female Human Brain by Sex Hormones: A Review
Rehbein, E., Hornung, J., Poromaa, I. S., & Derntl, B. (2020) · Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1159/000507083 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Barth, C., Crestol, A., de Lange, A. G., & Galea, L. A. M. (2023) · The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(23)00224-3 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Testicular volume is inversely correlated with nurturing-related brain activity in human fathers
Mascaro, J. S., Hackett, P. D., & Rilling, J. K. (2013) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1305579110 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Lonstein, J. S., Lévy, F., & Fleming, A. S. (2015) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.011 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Rutherford, H. J. V., Booth, C. R., Luyten, P., Bridgett, D. J., & Mayes, L. C. (2015) · Infant Behavior and Development · doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2015.04.005 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Self-citationALL OUR SONS: THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY AND NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF BOYS AT RISK
Schore, A. N. (2017) · Infant Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1002/imhj.21616 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
O’Connor, T. G., Monk, C. E., & Fitelson, E. M. (2013) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.12153 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
The long and short term effects of motherhood on the brain
Duarte‐Guterman, P., Leuner, B., & Galea, L. A. M. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.02.004 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
The neuroscience of social feelings: mechanisms of adaptive social functioning
Eslinger, P. J., Anders, S., Ballarini, T., Boutros, S., Krach, S., Mayer, A. V., Moll, J., Newton, T. L., Schroeter, M. L., de Oliveira-Souza, R., et al. (2021) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.028 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Self-citationIn Search of Neural Endophenotypes of Postpartum Psychopathology and Disrupted Maternal Caregiving
Moses‐Kolko, E. L., Horner, M. S., Phillips, M. L., Hipwell, A. E., & Swain, J. E. (2014) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.12183 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Self-citationManini, B., Cardone, D., Ebisch, S. J. H., Bafunno, D., Aureli, T., & Merla, A. (2013) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00299 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Postpartum depression and brain response to infants: Differential amygdala response and connectivity
Wonch, K. E., de Medeiros, C. B., Barrett, J. A., Dudin, A., Cunningham, W. A., Hall, G. B., Steiner, M. S., & Fleming, A. S. (2015) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2015.1131193 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Matrescence: lifetime impact of motherhood on cognition and the brain
Orchard, E. R., Rutherford, H. J. V., Holmes, A. J., & Jamadar, S. D. (2023) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2022.12.002 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Parenting and Beyond: Common Neurocircuits Underlying Parental and Altruistic Caregiving
Swain, J. E., Konrath, S., Brown, S. L., Finegood, E. D., Akce, L., Dayton, C. J., & Ho, S.-H. S. (2012) · Parenting · doi:10.1080/15295192.2012.680409 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Self-citationCognitive Reorganization during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: An Evolutionary Perspective
Anderson, M. V., & Rutherford, M. D. (2012) · Evolutionary Psychology · doi:10.1177/147470491201000402 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care
Buckley, S. J. (2015) · Issue Lab (Candid) · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Neuroendocrinology of Parental Response to Baby‐Cry
Swain, J. E., Kim, P., & Ho, S. S. (2011) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02212.x · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Self-citationEstrogen- and progesterone-mediated structural neuroplasticity in women: evidence from neuroimaging
Catenaccio, E., Mu, W., & Lipton, M. L. (2016) · Brain Structure and Function · doi:10.1007/s00429-016-1197-x · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Human Maternal Brain Plasticity: Adaptation to Parenting
Kim, P. (2016) · New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development · doi:10.1002/cad.20168 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Self-citationThe transition to motherhood: linking hormones, brain and behaviour
Servin-Barthet, C., Martínez‐Garcia, M., Pretus, C., Paternina-Die, M., Soler, A., Khymenets, O., Pozo, Ó. J., Leuner, B., Vilarroya, Ó., & Carmona, S. (2023) · Nature reviews. Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/s41583-023-00733-6 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Breastfeeding Challenges and the Preterm Mother-Infant Dyad: A Conceptual Model
Lau, C. (2017) · Breastfeeding Medicine · doi:10.1089/bfm.2016.0206 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Bornstein, M. H. (2016) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119125556.devpsy405 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Carmona, S., Martínez‐García, M., Paternina‐Die, M., Barba‐Müller, E., Wierenga, L. M., Alemán‐Gómez, Y., Pretus, C., Marcos‐Vidal, L., Beumala, L., Cortizo, R., et al. (2019) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.24513 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Sex differences in depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period
Sundström Poromaa, I., Comasco, E., Georgakis, M. K., & Skalkidou, A. (2017) · Journal of Neuroscience Research · doi:10.1002/jnr.23859 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Intersubjectivity
Schore, A. N. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648616 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Swain, J. E., Ho, S.-H. S., Rosenblum, K. L., Morelen, D. M., Dayton, C. J., & Muzik, M. (2017) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579417000165 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Self-citationLess can be more: Fine tuning the maternal brain
Pawluski, J. L., Hoekzema, E., Leuner, B., & Lonstein, J. S. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.045 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Feeley, N., Genest, C., Niela‐Vilén, H., Charbonneau, L., & Axelin, A. (2016) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-016-0663-1 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Abraham, E., Hendler, T., Zagoory‐Sharon, O., & Feldman, R. (2016) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsw090 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Self-citationWomen’s neuroplasticity during gestation, childbirth and postpartum
Paternina-Die, M., Martínez‐Garcia, M., de Blas, D. M., Noguero-Soler, I., Servin-Barthet, C., Pretus, C., Soler, A., Montoya, G. L., Desco, M., & Carmona, S. (2024) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/s41593-023-01513-2 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Understanding the human parental brain: A critical role of the orbitofrontal cortex
Parsons, C. E., Stark, E. A., Young, K. S., Stein, A. L., & Kringelbach, M. L. (2013) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2013.842610 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Rocchetti, M., Radua, J., Paloyelis, Y., Xenaki, L., Frascarelli, M., Caverzasi, E., Politi, P., & Fusar‐Poli, P. (2014) · Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1111/pcn.12185 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
The maternal brain: Region‐specific patterns of brain aging are traceable decades after childbirth
de Lange, A. G., Barth, C., Kaufmann, T., Anatürk, M., Suri, S., Ebmeier, K. P., & Westlye, L. T. (2020) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.25152 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Kim, P., Mayes, L., Feldman, R., Leckman, J. F., & Swain, J. E. (2013) · Infant Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1002/imhj.21359 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
“Thus far, maternal brain responses to infant cry have been correlated with levels of AITHAR (Swain et al., 2008), and postpartum brain structural changes with positive perceptions of own baby (Kim et al., 2010).”
Self-citationDo Pregnancy-Induced Brain Changes Reverse? The Brain of a Mother Six Years after Parturition
Martínez‐Garcia, M., Paternina-Die, M., Barba‐Müller, E., de Blas, D. M., Beumala, L., Cortizo, R., Pozzobon, C., Vidal, L. M., Fernández‐Pena, A., Picado, M., et al. (2021) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci11020168 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Experience-facilitated improvements in pup retrieval; evidence for an epigenetic effect
Stolzenberg, D. S., Stevens, J. S., & Rissman, E. F. (2012) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.05.012 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Kim, P., Evans, G. W., Chen, E., Miller, G. E., & Seeman, T. E. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47143-3_19 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Self-citationFernández, I. O., Gabriel, M. Á. M., Gil-Sánchez, A., García‐Segura, L. M., & Arévalo, M. (2014) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.03.007 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Specific maternal brain responses to their own child’s face: An fMRI meta-analysis
Rigo, P., Kim, P., Esposito, G., Putnick, D. L., Venuti, P., & Bornstein, M. H. (2018) · Developmental Review · doi:10.1016/j.dr.2018.12.001 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citationNeurobiological changes during the peripartum period: implications for health and behavior
Cárdenas, E. F., Kujawa, A., & Humphreys, K. L. (2019) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsz091 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Parenting stress: A novel mechanism of addiction vulnerability
Rutherford, H. J. V., & Mayes, L. C. (2019) · Neurobiology of Stress · doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100172 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Self-citationPotential Brain Age Reversal after Pregnancy: Younger Brains at 4–6 Weeks Postpartum
Eileen Luders, A., Gingnell, M., Poromaa, I. S., Engman, J., Kurth, F., & Christian Gaser, B. (2018) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.07.006 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Mothers with substance addictions show reduced reward responses when viewing their own infant's face
Kim, S., Iyengar, U., Mayes, L. C., Potenza, M. N., Rutherford, H. J. V., & Strathearn, L. (2017) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.23731 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Self-citationHow stress can influence brain adaptations to motherhood
Kim, P. (2020) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100875 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citationNuman, M. (2020) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190848675.001.0001 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Kinsley, C. H., & Amory, E. (2011) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02194.x · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Prenatal Origins of Neurological Development
Glynn, L. M., & Sandman, C. A. (2011) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721411422056 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
From baby brain to mommy brain: Widespread gray matter gain after giving birth
Eileen Luders, A., Kurth, F., Gingnell, M., Engman, J., Yong, E., Poromaa, I. S., & Christian Gaser, B. (2020) · Cortex · doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2019.12.029 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Ulmer-Yaniv, A., Avitsur, R., Kanat-Maymon, Y., Schneiderman, I., Zagoory-Sharon, O., & Feldman, R. (2016) · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2016.02.017 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationSocioeconomic disadvantages and neural sensitivity to infant cry: role of maternal distress
Kim, P., Capistrano, C. G., & Congleton, C. (2016) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsw063 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationPereira, M., & Ferreira, A. (2015) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.08.005 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Kim, P., Dufford, A. J., & Tribble, R. C. (2018) · Brain Structure and Function · doi:10.1007/s00429-018-1688-z · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationPajulo, M., Tolvanen, M., Karlsson, L., Halme-Chowdhury, E., Öst, C., Luyten, P., Mayes, L., & Karlsson, H. (2015) · Infant Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1002/imhj.21523 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Self-citationThe neural basis of maternal bonding
Wan, M. W., Downey, D., Strachan, H., Elliott, R., Williams, S. R., & Abel, K. M. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088436 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Attentional bias toward infant faces – Review of the adaptive and clinical relevance
Lucion, M. K., Oliveira, V. F., Bizarro, L., Bischoff, A. R., Silveira, P. P., & Kauer‐Sant’Anna, M. (2017) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.01.008 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Maternal programming: Application of a developmental psychopathology perspective
Glynn, L. M., Howland, M. A., & Fox, M. M. (2018) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579418000524 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Preoptic Inputs and Mechanisms that Regulate Maternal Responsiveness
Dobolyi, Á., Grattan, D. R., & Stolzenberg, D. S. (2014) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.12185 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Swain, J. E., Dayton, C. J., Kim, P., Tolman, R. M., & Volling, B. L. (2014) · Infant Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1002/imhj.21471 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Emotional and Hormonal Pathways of Labour and Birth: Integrating Mind, Body and Behaviour.
Dixon, L., Skinner, J. L., III, & Foureur, M. J. (2013) · New Zealand College of Midwives · doi:10.12784/nzcomjnl48.2013.3.15-23 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Maternal Prefrontal Cortex Activation by Newborn Infant Odors
Nishitani, S., Kuwamoto, S., Takahira, A., Miyamura, T., & Shinohara, K. (2014) · Chemical Senses · doi:10.1093/chemse/bjt068 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Towards an understanding of women’s brain aging: the immunology of pregnancy and menopause
Barth, C., & de Lange, A. G. (2020) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100850 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Frankfurt, M., Salas-Ramirez, K. Y., Friedman, E., & Luine, V. N. (2011) · Synapse · doi:10.1002/syn.20918 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Murgatroyd, C., Peña, C. J., Podda, G., Nestler, E. J., & Nephew, B. C. (2015) · Neuropeptides · doi:10.1016/j.npep.2015.05.002 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Physical presence of spouse enhances brain-to-brain synchrony in co-parenting couples
Azhari, A., Lim, M., Bizzego, A., Gabrieli, G., Bornstein, M. H., & Esposito, G. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63596-2 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Rincón‐Cortés, M., & Grace, A. A. (2020) · Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100839 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Noll, L. K., Mayes, L. C., & Rutherford, H. J. V. (2012) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2012.672457 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationA trip down memory lane about sex differences in the brain
Shors, T. J. (2016) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0124 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Duan, C., Cosgrove, J., & Deligiannidis, K. M. (2017) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0824-4 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Applying a Women’s Health Lens to the Study of the Aging Brain
Taylor, C. M., Pritschet, L., Yu, S., & Jacobs, E. (2019) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00224 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Brain and Behavioral Modifications That Accompany the Onset of Motherhood
Lambert, K. G., & Kinsley, C. H. (2012) · Parenting · doi:10.1080/15295192.2012.638868 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Characterizing the Brain Structural Adaptations Across the Motherhood Transition
Martínez‐Garcia, M., Paternina-Die, M., Desco, M., Vilarroya, Ó., & Carmona, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Global Women s Health · doi:10.3389/fgwh.2021.742775 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Lahti, T., Halko, M., Karagozoglu, N., & Wincent, J. (2018) · Journal of Business Venturing · doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.05.001 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
It takes two! Exploring sex differences in parenting neurobiology and behaviour
Rajhans, P., Goin‐Kochel, R. P., Strathearn, L., & Kim, S. (2019) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.12721 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Emotion Reactivity Is Increased 4-6 Weeks Postpartum in Healthy Women: A Longitudinal fMRI Study
Gingnell, M., Bannbers, E., Moes, H. R., Engman, J., Sylvén, S. M., Skalkidou, A., Kask, K., Wikström, J., & Poromaa, I. S. (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0128964 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Efficacy of a prevention program for postpartum obsessive–compulsive symptoms
Timpano, K. R., Abramowitz, J. S., Mahaffey, B., Mitchell, M. A., & Schmidt, N. B. (2011) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.06.015 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
- Authors
- Kim, P., Leckman, J. F., Mayes, L. C., Feldman, R., Wang, X., & Swain, J. E.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- Yale University (US)
- Anna Freud Centre (GB)
- Bar-Ilan University (IL)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Venue
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Published
- 2010
- Volume
- 124
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 695-700
- ISSN
- 0735-7044 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0084
- PMC
- PMC4318549
- OpenAlex
- W2056013081
- Semantic Scholar
- 996106f68fbd3825c0c374603813bf36b4711121
- Cited by
- 440
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 23.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Cornell University
- US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (2005–273)
- Institute for the Study of Unlimited Love
- National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
- National Institute of Mental Health (K05MH076273)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (5K05DA020091)
- Associates of the Yale Child Study Center
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- maternal brain, postpartum period, gray matter volume, neuroplasticity, maternal behavior, prefrontal cortex, parietal lobe, midbrain, hypothalamus, amygdala, substantia nigra, maternal motivation, longitudinal brain changes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Brain, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Maternal Behavior, Neuronal Plasticity, Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated, Postpartum Period
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
