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, and their ability to gain from experiences with them. These changes normally occur at the time of parturition or after extensive experience with young and are mediated by mesolimbic DA systems interacting with an extensive forebrain maternal neural circuit. The act of mothering and the appropriateness and flexibility in the quality of mothering provided results from these changes in affect, perception, and hedonics. Moreover, it depends on mothers attending adequately to their young, responding contingently to them, and showing flexibility in which, and when, responses occur. This latter aspect of mothering relates more to the "doing" of mothering and depends on higher cortical systems, especially within the prefrontal cortex. Although it has not been adequately studied in either rats or human mothers, it is proposed that the DA system is likely a major player in the success and appropriateness of prefrontal system functioning within the context of maternal behavior. © 2008 Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Inc.