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health11h ago
Pregnant women's brains shed grey matter to prime them for motherhood, study suggests
- Latest findings show grey matter drops about 5% during pregnancy, then partially recovers after birth.
- Study tracked 127 pregnant women across before, during, and after pregnancy to compare with nonpregnant peers.
- Researchers suggest changes may aid mother–infant bonding and caregiving, not memory problems.
- Grey matter reductions were most pronounced in the brain network linked to self-perception and empathy.
- Grey matter declined during pregnancy and then did not fully return within six months after birth.
- Hormones such as oestrogen sometimes tracked closely with grey matter reductions.
- The study is described as the largest to date on brain changes during pregnancy.
- Experts say more research is needed to map neurological changes and postpartum outcomes.
- The study includes hormone testing and MRI scans to understand biological changes during pregnancy.
- Researchers highlight that there are many parenting types and nonpregnant people can also be good parents.
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