A study revealed that during this process, the brain experiences transformations in its structure.
He pregnancy It is a period of nine months in which there are extreme biological changes in pregnant bodies. However, little was known about how this process affects the brain.
In that sense, a study published in the magazine nature communications proved that A woman’s brain structure changes completely during pregnancy.
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How pregnancy affects the brain
These changes in the brain are due to the release of a peak of estradiol -the female sex hormone- in the third trimester of pregnancy. During the research 40 women were followed before, during and after birth, with the aim of analyzing changes in their brains through diagnostic imaging tests.
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Freepik.
The results were varied. On the one hand, a decreased gray matterwhich is essential for muscle control and the execution of tasks such as seeing, hearing, processing memories and emotions, or making decisions. An increase was also observed in the activity of the “default mode network”which consists of a set of interconnected regions that act on brain activity when the mind is resting.
On the other hand, no changes were shown in the white matter, which is involved in motor and sensory function. Thus, the conclusion that can be reached is that this transformation does not mean a loss of functions or memory, but it is a selection of the best neural connectionsThis process is similar to the one that occurs during adolescence.
The author, Dr. Elseline Hoekzemaexplains that this process “eliminates certain connections between brain cells to encourage new connections, and this could help people focus on specific behaviors or activitieslike caring for a baby.” Furthermore, a 2016 study found that this transformation continued for up to two years after pregnancy.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
