Plasticity in the Maternal Neural Circuit: Experience, Dopamine, and Mothering

This chapter examines the role of mesocorticolimbic brain dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter system in mothering, which acts as a unifying mechanism that ties the functions of the different systems together. Before mothers can respond appropriately and sensitively to their offspring they must "want" to do so. The motivation to mother is multiply regulated by hormonal and experiential effects on mothers' emotions, their perceptions of their young, …