Altered functional connectivity of emotional circuits and default model network in postpartum women: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Motivation: Resting-state functional connectivity can elucidate the brain intrinsic functional connectivity patterns of postpartum women, providing new evidence for functional plasticity in postpartum women. Goal(s): Our goal is to explore functional connectivity patterns of postpartum women. Approach: Postpartum women were imaged using rs-fMRI and compared with nonmothers by functional connectivity analysis. Results: Brain functional remodeling does occur in the postpartum women, as evidenced by changes in intrinsic functional connectivity patterns. Impact: We used rs-FC to demonstrate that brain functional placity in postpartum women during raising infants, providing new ideas and directions for studying the neural mechanisms of maternal behavior.