Enduring maternal brain changes and their role in mediating motherhood's impact on well-being.

ABSTRACT: Parenthood, particularly motherhood, is known to impact the structure and function of the brain in the short term, but the long-term effects of parenthood and their impacts on well-being are still poorly understood. This study explores the potential longer-term associations between parenthood and the brain, parenthood and well-being, and the potential role of brain modifications in influencing mothers' well-being. Using data from the UK Biobank, which includes brain imaging information from individuals aged 45-82 at the MRI scanning, we discovered differences in brain structure between mothers and non-mothers, with mothers exhibiting widely distributed higher gray matter density, particularly strong in frontal and occipital regions. No brain changes were observed in fathers. Parents report

SUBMITTER: Rotondi V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11258333 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature