Pregnancy brings big bodily changes, but what happens in the brain is less understood. For the first time, researchers at University of California-Santa Barbara studied the brain during pregnancy.
Researchers scanned a woman’s brain regularly from before pregnancy to two years after birth. Their study shows that the brain changes throughout pregnancy, suggesting it stays flexible even in adulthood.
During pregnancy, researchers found a decrease in gray matter (the brain’s outer layer) and an increase in white matter (deeper in the brain). The gray matter loss is not bad; it may mean the brain is being “fine-tuned,” like during puberty.
White matter, which helps brain regions communicate, increased during pregnancy but returned to normal by birth. These changes show how adaptable the brain is during pregnancy.
The maternal brain changes during pregnancy, showing that even in adulthood, the brain can adapt and grow. These changes may help mothers adjust to parenting. Since 85% of women experience pregnancy, studying this is important for understanding the brain.
The research can also help in early detection of postpartum depression, which affects many women. Understanding these brain changes could improve treatments.
The authors, supported by the Ann S. Bowers Women’s Brain Health Initiative, are expanding their research through the Maternal Brain Project. More women and their partners are joining the study at UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, and in Spain.
Experts in neuroscience, immunology, proteomics, and AI are working together to better understand the maternal brain and address important women’s health issues.
Journal reference :
- Pritschet, L., Taylor, C.M., Cossio, D. et al. Neuroanatomical changes observed over the course of a human pregnancy. Nature Neuroscience. DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01741-0.
