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When the Brain Has A Baby
McCormick, Matthew Kumaran, Arjun S. Cunningham, Kristen Dave, Rudra Rahman, Ridwana Salla, Nikkita
McCormick, Matthew
Kumaran, Arjun S.
Cunningham, Kristen
Dave, Rudra
Rahman, Ridwana
Salla, Nikkita
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Journal article
Date
2023-12-18
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Psychology and Neuroscience
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.34944/44mk-1q21
Abstract
"Motherhood is the journey a woman embarks on that drives a multitude of changes that reshape the lives around her and the billions of neurons that form her brain. A mother typically entails a female who has given birth or raised a child; however, the concept expands beyond biological definitions, encompassing all those who take on the role of motherhood. This includes, but is not limited to, those who adopt or are surrogates. However, this article will focus on the neurological changes that occur in those who have given birth. These neurological modifications, as research indicates, prepare the brain for motherhood [1]. The mother-infant dynamic significantly alters a mother’s brain through neuroplasticity as well as oxytocinergic and dopaminergic activity shifts. These shifts can have profound effects on their parenting behaviors and, in turn, child development. A child’s early development directly correlates to their mother’s mental health, as maternal figures who have poor mental health are more likely to raise children with poor overall general health [2]. Despite its valuable applications to women’s mental health, our understanding of maternity neuroscience remains at a relatively fundamental level. However, promising research elucidates the possibility of new cell growth in the human maternal brain, which could have extensive applications on maternal health. Through research, understanding, and application of the neurological underpinnings of how motherhood changes the brain, a stride toward understanding and effectively treating maternal mental health issues can be initiated."
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Citation
"McCormick, M., Kumaran, A.S., Cunningham, K., Dave, R., Rahman, R., & Salla, N. (2023). When the Brain Has A Baby. Grey Matters, 6, 8-13. "
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Available at: https://greymattersjournaltu.org/issue-6/when-the-brain-has-a-baby
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Grey Matters, Iss. 6, Fall 2023
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