Work

Human Maternal Brain Plasticity: Adaptation to Parenting

Year: 2016

Type: review

Abstract: New mothers undergo dynamic neural changes that support positive adaptation to parenting and the development of mother-infant relationships. In this article, I review important psychological adaptations that mothers experience during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. I then review evidence of structural and functional plasticity in human mothers' brains, and explore how such plasticity supports mothers' psychological adaptation to parenting and sensitive maternal behaviors. Last, I discuss pregnancy and the early postpartum period as a window of vulnerabilities and opportunities when the human maternal brain is influenced by stress and psychopathology, but also receptive to interventions.

Source: New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development

DOI: 10.1002/cad.20168

Author: Pilyoung Kim

Institution: University of Denver

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Denver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development