| Hypothalamic neural circuits regulating maternal responsiveness toward infants. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17099111 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
A theoretical neural model is developed, along with supportive evidence, to explain how the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus can regulate maternal responsiveness toward infant-related stimuli. It is proposed that efferents from a hormone-primed MPOA (a) depress a central aversion system (composed of neural circuits between the amygdala, medial hypothalamus, and midbrain) so that novel infant stimuli do not activate defensive or avoidance behavior and (b) excite the mesolimbic dopamine system so that active, voluntary maternal responses are promoted. The effects of oxytocin and maternal experience are included in the model, and the specificity of MPOA effects are discussed. The model may be relevant to the mechanisms through which other hypothalamic nuclei regulate other basic motivational states. In addition, aspects of the model may define a core neural circuitry for maternal behavior in mammals. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Michael Numan |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience reviews Volume: 5 ISSN: 1534-5823 ISO Abbreviation: Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev Publication Date: 2006 Dec |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2006-11-13 Completed Date: 2007-01-23 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 101120119 Medline TA: Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 163-90 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. numan@bc.edu |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Aged, 80 and over Animals Dopamine / physiology* Female Humans Mammals Maternal Behavior / physiology* Mother-Child Relations Neural Pathways / cytology, physiology* Preoptic Area / physiology* Rats Septal Nuclei / physiology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Predictors of resident outcome improvement in nursing homes.
Next Document: Instrumental learning within the spinal cord: underlying mechanisms and implications for recovery af...