Background
Considerable literature has focused on neural responses evoked by face viewing. We
extend that literature and explore the neural correlates of maternal attachment with
an fMRI study in which mothers view photographs of their own children.
Method
Seven mothers performed a one-back repetition detection task while viewing photographs
of their own child, friends of their child, unfamiliar children, and unfamiliar adults.
Results
Viewing one's own child versus a familiar child was associated with activation in
the amygdala, insula, anterior paracingulate cortex, and posterior superior temporal
sulcus (STS). Viewing familiar versus unfamiliar children elicited increased activation
in regions associated with familiarity in adults. Viewing unfamiliar children versus
unfamiliar adults was associated with activation in the fusiform gyrus, intraparietal
sulcus, precuneus, and posterior STS.
Conclusions
The sight of one's own child versus that of a familiar child activates regions that
mediate emotional responses (amygdala, insula) and are associated with theory of mind
functions (anterior paracingulate cortex, posterior superior temporal sulcus). These
activations may reflect the intense attachment, vigilant protectiveness, and empathy
that characterize normal maternal attachment. The sight of an unfamiliar child's face
compared with that of an unfamiliar adult engages areas associated with attention
as well as face perception.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 21,
2004
Received in revised form:
March 15,
2004
Received:
December 9,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- ErratumBiological PsychiatryVol. 56Issue 8
- PreviewThe range for rating subjects using the Self-Assessment Manikin scale was presented incorrectly as 1–5 in Leibenluft et al “Mothers’ Neural Activation in Response to Pictures of Their Children and Other Children,” Biological Psychiatry 56:225–232. The error appears on page 226, under the Task heading within the Methods and Materials section, and on page 227, within the Table 1 legend. The correct rating scale for the question “How pleasant or unpleasant does this picture make you feel?” should be 1–9, with 1 being most positive, 5 neutral, and 9 negative.
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