Less can be more: Fine tuning the maternal brain

Pawluski, Jodi L.; Hoekzema, Elseline; Leuner, Benedetta; Lonstein, Joseph S.

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.045

Cited by 44 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 211 publications

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“…We have previously demonstrated a remarkable similarity between the morphometric properties of neural GM changes in pregnancy and adolescence 45 -another transitional period associated with strong GM reductions and a myriad of behavioural, cognitive and social adaptations-pointing to similar hormone-driven neurobiological mechanisms. Interestingly, maternal brain plasticity in non-human animals is known to often involve processes of neural 'fine-tuning' that optimize maternal behaviours 46 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

et al. 2022

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While animal studies have demonstrated a unique reproduction-related neuroplasticity, little is known on the effects of pregnancy on the human brain. Here we investigated whether pregnancy is associated with changes to resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture using a comprehensive pre-conception cohort study. We show that pregnancy leads to selective and robust changes in neural architecture and neural network organization, which are most pronounced in the Default Mode Network. These neural changes correlated with pregnancy hormones, primarily third-trimester estradiol, while no associations were found with other factors such as osmotic effects, stress and sleep. Furthermore, the changes related to measures of maternal-fetal bonding, nesting behavior and the physiological responsiveness to infant cues, and predicted measures of mother-infant bonding and bonding impairments. These findings suggest there are selective pregnancy-related modifications in brain structure and function that may facilitate peripartum maternal processes of key relevance to the mother-infant dyad.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

et al. 2022

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“…However, Fowler and collaborators demonstrated that cohabitation with mating or cohabitation with a female did not increase cell proliferation or survival in the DG, neither increase the percentage of new cells that differentiate into neurons in female prairie voles ( Fowler et al, 2002 ). These differences may be due to the fact that Fowler and coworkers used gonadally intact females and for their survival studies and females that cohabitated with the male were sacrificed 3 days following litter birth, so pregnancy and parturition can also influence adult neurogenesis ( Pawluski et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pair-bonding and social experience modulate new neurons survival in adult male and female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

et al. 2022

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“…Maternal behaviour is one of the most important social behaviours, and its expression requires many genetic and physiological changes in the brain of females [1][2][3] . These changes enable dams to cope with the new situation and improve the likelihood of offspring survival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes enable dams to cope with the new situation and improve the likelihood of offspring survival. Thus, reproductive fitness and maternal behaviour are closely related [1][2][3][4] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of the medial amygdala disrupts escalated aggression in lactating female mice after repeated exposure to male intruders

Abellán-Álvaro

Martı́nez-Garcı́a

Lanuza

et al. 2022

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Virgin female laboratory mice readily express maternal care when co-housed with dams and pups. However, pup-sensitized virgins fail to express maternal aggression on a single session of testing. To study whether repeated testing would affect the onset and dynamics of maternal aggression we tested dams and their accompanying virgins from postpartum day 4 to 6. Repeated testing led to escalated aggression towards male intruders in dams, but virgins never developed aggression. In dams, inhibition of the medial amygdala using DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) vectors carrying the hM4Di receptor blocked the expected increase in maternal aggression on the second testing day. Our data support that the onset of maternal aggression is linked to physiological changes occurring during motherhood, and that medial amygdala, a key centre integrating vomeronasal, olfactory and hormonal information, enables the expression of escalated aggression induced by repeated testing.

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Less can be more: Fine tuning the maternal brain

Cited by 44 publications

References 211 publications

Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture

Pair-bonding and social experience modulate new neurons survival in adult male and female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Inhibition of the medial amygdala disrupts escalated aggression in lactating female mice after repeated exposure to male intruders

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