Tune in to this episode for an enlightening conversation on the profound transformations of the brain in transition to mother- and parenthood: PhD candidate Franziska is interviewing Dr. Magdalena Martínez-García, researcher in the “Neuromaternal” group in Madrid. Using longitudinal neuroimaging studies, she and her team investigate structural and functional neuroplasticity across different stages of pregnancy and beyond. Don't miss out and join us when we dive into how (and why) both the maternal and paternal/parental brains are shaped by pregnancy, experience as well as time shared with the offspring.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction 

01:44 What happens during pregnancy within the mother's body?

04:00 What is neuroplasticity?

06:05 Neuroplasticity during pregnancy

18:18 Do pregnancy-related changes in the brain reverse?

23:35 Why does the brain of mothers-to-be change?

27:20 Why we should NOT be scared of pregnancy-related neuroplasticity and brain volume shrinkage!

32:02 What are neural plasticity mechanisms during pregnancy in human mothers?

37:01 Research on brains of fathers and parents

42:03 Time spent with the child matters: experience-induced plasticity

43:46 What is the importance of research on the parental brain?

47:20 Summary 

50:25 The next step in research on neuroplasticity of peripartum and parenthood

Many thanks to Julia Siódmiak for contributing to this episode!

Sound recording: Franziska Weinmar with the equipment of the IRTG2804

Editing: Franziska Weinmar

Do you have any feedback, suggestions, or questions? Get in touch with us: irtg2804.podcast@gmail.com

Are you intrigued by this topic and want to be kept updated? Follow us on twitter: @irtg2804 or instagram: @irtg2804

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.