Hypothalamic neural circuits regulating maternal responsiveness toward infants.
Hypothalamic neural circuits regulating maternal responsiveness toward infants.
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DOI：
10.1177/1534582306288790
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发表时间：
2006-12-01
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Numan, Michael
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Numan, Michael
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.
