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A recent study suggests that pregnancy can induce changes in both the structure and function of a woman's brain, possibly priming her for motherhood.

Pregnancy represents a profound physiological event characterized by significant hormonal fluctuations in a woman's body. Yet, the effects of pregnancy on the human brain have remained relatively unexplored.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study unveiled how hormonal shifts during pregnancy can reshape a woman's brain structure. Notably, the surge of oestradiol, a female sex hormone, during the third trimester seems to trigger alterations that facilitate maternal behaviors like bonding with the baby and preparing for childbirth.

Conducted on a cohort of 40 women, the study employed advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance and scans to track brain changes before, during and after childbirth, ClinicBarcelona.org reported.

Results revealed heightened activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN) alongside a decrease in gray matter, with no notable alterations in white matter-a consequence attributed to hormonal fluctuations.

Gray matter, integral for functions like muscle control, sensory processing, and decision-making, exhibited reductions in volume, while white matter, responsible for information transmission, remained unaffected.

The findings echo previous research by Dr. Elseline Hoekzema of Leiden University, demonstrating grey matter reduction post-pregnancy, suggesting neural reorganization rather than loss of function.

"It is a process that removes certain connections between brain cells to encourage new connections, and this could help people focus on specific behaviours or activities, such as caring for a baby," Hoekzema explained.

Further bolstering these insights, a 2021 study published in the journal Brain Sciences revealed that the decrease in gray matter volume observed during pregnancy persists for as long as six years postpartum, with brain alterations linked to the mother-child relationship and post-delivery contact with the baby, suggesting potential permanence of these changes in women's brains and advocating for the integration of pregnancy-related data into neuroimaging studies as a significant variable of interest.

The human brain, renowned for its complexity, remains a focal point of research as scientists strive to develop treatments for various neurological conditions. Furthermore, the brain undergoes significant plasticity during pregnancy, characterized by increased neuronal growth and connectivity, prompting studies aimed at unraveling the brain changes in women and potentially offering insights into addressing issues like postnatal depression in the future.