Neurobiology of maternal regulation of infant fear: the role of mesolimbic dopamine and its disruption by maltreatment.

ABSTRACT: Child development research highlights caregiver regulation of infant physiology and behavior as a key feature of early life attachment, although mechanisms for maternal control of infant neural circuits remain elusive. Here we explored the neurobiology of maternal regulation of infant fear using neural network and molecular levels of analysis in a rodent model. Previous research has shown maternal suppression of amygdala-dependent fear learning during a sensitive period. Here we characterize changes in neural networks engaged during maternal regulation and the transition to infant self-regulation. Metabolic mapping of 2-deoxyglucose uptake during odor-shock conditioning in postnatal day (PN)14 rat pups showed that maternal presence blocked fear learning, disengaged mesolimbic circuitry, ba

SUBMITTER: Opendak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6784970 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature