Pregnancy entails a U-shaped trajectory in human brain structure linked to hormones and maternal attachment
Growing evidence places the gestational period as a unique moment of heightened neuroplasticity in adult life. In this longitudinal study spanning pre, during, and post pregnancy, we unveil a U-shaped trajectory in gray matter (GM) volume, which dips in late pregnancy and partially recovers during postpartum. These changes are most prominent in brain regions associated with the Default Mode and Frontoparietal Network. The U-shaped trajectory is predominantly linked to gestational factors, as it only presents in gestational mothers and correlates with fluctuations in estrogens over time. Finally, the mother's mental health status mediates the relationship between postpartum GM volume recovery and maternal attachment at 6 months postpartum. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between hormones, brain development, and behavior during the transition to motherhood. It addresses a significant knowledge gap in the neuroscience of human pregnancy and opens new possibilities for interventions aimed at enhancing maternal health and well-being.
Authors
- Daniel Martín de Blas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6985-9460)
- Olha Khymenets (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8668-580X)
- Daniel Bergé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2544-1016)
- Óscar J. Pozo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1735-9728)
- Pilar Prats (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9216-9118)
- Clara Pretus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2172-1184)
- Óscar Vilarroya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8285-5624)
- Susanna Carmona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5853-6527)
- Magdalena Martínez‐Garcia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5054-9427)
- Gemma Casals
- María Paternina-Die (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5100-4955)
- Luis Marcos‐Vidal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2135-1478)
- Camila Servin-Barthet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4771-898X)
- Anna Soler
Institutions
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (ES)
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES)
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (ES)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (ES)
- Departament de Salut (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Dexeus (ES)
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES)
- Hospital Del Mar (ES)
- Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (ES)
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-01-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55830-0
- Citations
- 22
- Primary Topic
- Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 39.45
Funders
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- European Commission
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación