Contact-seeking behavior in mice is driven by amylin peptide in the medial preoptic area of the forebrain.
Activity in the medial preoptic area tilts the mouse brain toward love and affection, while activity in the ventromedial hypothalamus is associated with more aggressive or hateful acts.
Researchers identify a group of neurons that are activated by oxytocin in an area of the female brain, but which are not present in the same area of a male mouse brain. Altered expression of these neurons may result in postpartum depression.
Researchers have identified neural circuits that help govern parenting behaviors in mice.
Prolactin, a hormone that stimulates a mother's milk production, appears to be a vital component in maternal nurturing behavior, a new study reports.
Optogenetics and brain imaging techniques allow researchers to identify a small cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus that trigger attraction, a new study reports.
Researchers have discovered two small brain regions in mice that control whether the animal will commit infanticide or will take on an attentive paternal role.