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lactation

·April 14, 2025·4 min read

How Lactating Brains Rewire Metabolism for Milk Production

Lactation triggers significant metabolic changes in mothers, driven by shifting hormone levels and brain activity. Researchers have now uncovered how increased prolactin and reduced estrogen suppress specific neurons in the hypothalamus to boost appetite and conserve fat, meeting the energy demands of nursing.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 20, 2023·5 min read

How Infant Cries Activate Mother’s Nursing Response

A new study unveils the brain mechanism in rodents behind a mother's quick response to her newborn's cry by releasing breast milk. The research reveals that a baby's wail triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin, facilitating lactation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 29, 2020·4 min read

Breastfeeding helps prevent mothers from developing diabetes after childbirth

Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing diabetes, a new study reports. In mouse models, lactation improved glucose tolerance and increased beta-cell mass three weeks post-delivery. Prolactin produced as a result of lactation induced serotonin production of beta cells. Findings suggest serotonin mediates the long-term beneficial effects of lactation of female metabolic health by increasing beta-cell proliferation and reducing oxidative stress in beta-cells.

This is a drawing of a mouse breastfeeding

Featured Neuroscience

·March 23, 2020·1 min read

Lactation changes how mom’s neurons communicate, but it’s reversible

During lactation, the cell voltage of TIDA neurons in the hypothalamus oscillates more frequently, increasing firing. The change is reversible and returns to normal once the mother stops lactating.

Neuroscience

·September 15, 2019·3 min read

Certain drugs used to treat eye diseases excreted into human breast milk

Ranibizumab and aflibercept, two drugs used to treat retinal diseases, are excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers who take the medications. The drugs contain an agent called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), which blocks the development of a protein which stimulates the development of blood vessels. The protein, VEGF, is present in breast milk and plays a role in the development of the digestive system in infants.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 25, 2018·4 min read

Maternal Binge Drinking Linked to Mood Problems and Alcohol Abuse in Offspring

Researchers report binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation may result in an increased risk of mood problems and alcohol abuse in offspring as they reach adolescence.