Human Brain Mapping - Normal Development

Normal Development

• Neural development in humans
• Neuroplasticity - changes in pathways and synapses due to behavior, environment, aging, injury etc.
• Nonsynaptic plasticity – modification of neuronal excitability in the axon, dendrites, and soma of an individual neuron, remote from the synapse.
• Parental brain – the brain of a new parent, especially the mother, exhibit remarkable patterns. Displaying parental sensitivity towards infant cues, processing those cues and being motivated to engage socially with the infant, and attend to the infant's needs in any context could be described as nurturing behavior and is regulated by many systems in the brain. Hormones such as oxytocin, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone have been identified as important in the process. The medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus contains receptors for estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin, vasopressin and opioids. These hormones are involved in activating nurturing behavior. Other areas include: amygdala, prefrontal cortex affect; amygdala and nucleus accumbens, (stimulus salience), nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex (attention), nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex (memory).
• The capacity for attachment, bonding and empathy are closely related to nurturing and parental interaction during formative years. See in particular: Postpartum depression, Attachment theory, Human bonding, Interpersonal relationship, Interpersonal attraction, Interpersonal ties, Empathy, Mirror neuron, and Antisocial personality disorder.