Nat Neurosci February 2017 PMID 27991897

Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure.

Elseline Hoekzema, Erika Barba-Müller, Cristina Pozzobon, Marisol Picado, Florencio Lucco, David García-García, Juan Carlos Soliva, Adolf Tobeña, Manuel Desco, Eveline A Crone, Agustín Ballesteros, Susanna Carmona, Oscar Vilarroya

Mentions

769
Peak: 4 in Oct 2024
across 5 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

78,991
potential audience

Total likes

141

Video views

2,295

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussion demonstrates high engagement and interest, with participants referencing key studies like Hoekzema et al. (2017), and emphasizing the biological and social implications of permanent brain changes from pregnancy through phrases like 'long-lasting changes' and 'material for understanding attachment.' The tone combines scientific curiosity with recognition of real-world significance, emphasizing the transformative nature of these findings for women's brains and societal perceptions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings that pregnancy causes lasting changes in brain structure, with several citing the significance of these results.

InterestHigh interest

The majority show high curiosity about how pregnancy influences brain anatomy and related functions, often referencing specific studies and their implications.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many participants delve into detailed interpretations, comparing studies, discussing the biological mechanisms, and considering the broader societal or psychological effects.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations reflect a strong perception that these findings could significantly influence understanding of motherhood, neuroplasticity, and gender roles, highlighting their importance.

Abstract in brief

  • Pregnancy causes long-lasting changes in the female brain, especially reducing gray matter in areas related to social cognition, which may help mothers adapt to motherhood.
  • The study found these brain changes were specific to women who had been pregnant and lasted at least two years postpartum.
  • These brain modifications could be linked to maternal bonding and caregiving behaviors, indicating a biological adaptation for motherhood.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Darrielle Pannos
@DarriellePannos · X

@oneawkwardmom But also, A 2017 study found a decrease in gray matter in brains of moms’ brains which is responsible for social cognition. The changes were still present two years later, suggesting that having a baby may lead to permanent structural changes in the brain https://t.co/nq0vXc53TP

Oct 2, 2022 · 25 likes · 1 share · 55 followers View post →
Marc Arginteanu, MD
@ArginteanuMarc · X

Any mother can tell you that after having a baby, her body was permanently changed. her brain may also be forever changed the gray matter in the mother's ventral striatum (reward center of the brain) may be permanently altered https://t.co/xSynydSdUX https://t.co/532iQrUufo

May 16, 2021 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 35,416 followers View post →
Salud Mental Perinatal | Perinatal Mental Health
@IEPerinatal · X

.@susanna_carmona: «El cerebro de una mujer que ha pasado por un embarazo es distinto a la mujer que no». La historia de cómo llegaron a hacer una investigación en torno a ello es maravillosa. Aquí el #estudio, por si tenéis curiosidad: https://t.co/6Bf4eIw7Af

Feb 16, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 2,599 followers View post →
白土大成┃第12回日本サルコペニア・フレイル学会大会 副実行委員長
@shiratsuchi_ger · X

産衛学会で気になった情報 Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure 妊娠後の灰白質減少 5つの健康習慣によるがんリスクチェック NIPPON DATA 食事による循環器疾患リスク予測ツール Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Chart by Dietary Factors in Japan - NIPPON DATA80

May 27, 2023 · 2 likes · 820 followers View post →
Daniel Fredriksen
@runequantum · X

@IterIntellectus https://t.co/H0h2Fph3Gc

Oct 25, 2025 · 2 likes · 562 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@MarcoBuschmann https://t.co/86e7ZbZhM6 Hier die Studien im Original. Studien an anderen Säugetieren bestätigen das. Wenn Väter gleich verbunden zum Kind wären, hätten sie Brüste. Studie 1 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 Studie 2 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Dec 31, 2023 · 2 likes · 252 followers View post →

All mentions

Daniel Fredriksen
@runequantum · X

@IterIntellectus https://t.co/H0h2Fph3Gc

Oct 25, 2025 · 2 likes · 562 followers View post →
John
@johnawahba · X

@LeisDuch @rickperlstein @RemindMe_OfThis If we're agreed on the casual mechanism (amygdala size) then we can skip the pageantry: maternal amygdala size does not regress to pre pregnancy size, at least for 2 years. Burden of proof imo is on the side claiming it regresses 10 years later. https://t.co/tqJPAqAIlm

Oct 13, 2025 · 681 followers View post →
藤綾
@rokugatsu_aoi · X

「妊娠中から産後2年まで 思考や判断力、記憶力を司る脳灰白質が減少する」 これは義務教育で教えてほしい 妊娠してから思考力が衰えすぎて仕事に支障が出てる あらかじめ知っていれば対策が取れる人もいるはず 妊娠は人間の脳構造に長期的な変化をもたらす - PubMed https://t.co/Ye45fZg45I

Sep 10, 2025 · 45 followers View post →
₍ ᐢ. ̫ .ᐢ ₎こっぱみじんこ
@monmonta_rx · X

この論文だ。出産すると灰白質の減少が起きるわけでしょ。それに産後うつの割合だって多いってこともわかってきているし、当然、亡くなる人もいるわけだしね。5人出産は凄いよ

Aug 9, 2025 · 1 like · 217 followers View post →
Chris Smith
@Tumbleweedtoo · X

@jk_rowling Hoekzema E, Barba-Müller E, Pozzobon C, Picado M, Lucco F, García-García D, Soliva JC, Tobeña A, Desco M, Crone EA, Ballesteros A, Carmona S, Vilarroya O. Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nat Neurosci. 2017 Feb;20(2):287-296. doi: 10.1038/nn.4458.

Jul 18, 2025 · 22 followers View post →
Amine
@aminepourlapaix · X

@OceanSama @NazBolRunique @Rollback06 Titre : Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure (La grossesse entraîne des changements durables dans la structure du cerveau humain) Auteurs : Elseline Hoekzema, Susanna Carmona, et al.

Jul 17, 2025 · 187 followers View post →
thorncube
@thorncube · X

@Sugwa56 실제로 뇌에 변화가 생기긴 하는데 쪼그라든다기 보다는 아기에 대한 애착이 강해지도록 뉴런간 연결이 재편성된다고 보는게 맞을것 같아요! https://t.co/tUIEPg0cjm https://t.co/n9YKe7f8Yg

Feb 12, 2025 · 1 like · 1,784 followers View post →
محـtonyـمد
@mo_o7amed_ · X

@leaonart لاقتني دراسة ان مخ الامهات بتقلص عديل عشان يقوي الصلة بينها وبين طفلها ويخليها تفهم الnonverbal cues "Change in brain size during and after pregnancy: study in healthy women and women with preeclampsia" "Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure"

Feb 5, 2025 · 1 like · 1,534 followers View post →
YHWHsSon100%
@YHWHsSon · X

study in healthy women and women with preeclampsia”. The second study was published in Nature Neuroscience and it’s entitled, “Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure.

Jan 24, 2025 · 98 followers View post →
Cody Nomura
@KotaroNomura1 · X

@mainichi 妊娠すると脳の灰白質の体積は激減する。とくに他者の心の理解に関与する部位で顕著。 ソースNature neuroscience 2017:20:287 Pregnancy leads to long lasting changes in human brain structure.Hoekzemaら 赤ん坊に認知資源を集中させるためなのだろうが、夫への態度の豹変とも関係するのでは。

Oct 29, 2024 · 2 likes · 70 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@dersveniboy @MIGO_Offiziell @CoSiMa16293951 @liberalistorder Das Kind kann nicht gefragt werden. Es will die Mutter.punkt. Die Mutter kann die Entwicklung nicht Vorhersehen. Das geht an zu basale neurologische Funktionen: Studie 1 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 Studie 2 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Oct 18, 2024 · 252 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@JinxExMachina @mushycrouton @SurrogConcern Studie 1 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 Studie 2 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Oct 14, 2024 · 1 like · 252 followers View post →
DADA21C
@DADA21C · X

"妊娠・出産による女性の脳の形と機能の変化とは 〜驚きの研究結果と育児への影響〜" 「Nature Neuroscience」という学術雑誌に2017年に掲載された「Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure」という論文をベースに解説していきます。 https://t.co/cMUDwMFL1J

Oct 7, 2024 · 914 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@AdrienneAK @SurrogConcern Human Studie 1 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 Studie 2 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Jul 16, 2024 · 252 followers View post →
Nett
@NettDarknett · X

@bobinho667 @AnulkaDub @Kamcio1515 @MajaHermanMD @K_Stanowski https://t.co/ZUxgM56fu9 Okey, wysyłam po raz kolejny.

Mar 18, 2024 · 103 followers View post →
Nett
@NettDarknett · X

@bobinho667 @AnulkaDub @Kamcio1515 @MajaHermanMD @K_Stanowski https://t.co/ZUxgM56fu9

Mar 18, 2024 · 1 like · 103 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@MS_Berlin @hemooe99 @LiiLaa46051197 @MarcoBuschmann Naja ich dachte, die Maßstäbe, die man an andere ansetzt, sollte man auch an sich selbst ansetzen.haben sie nicht verstanden.ok. Mütter verändern ihr Gehirn, Väter nicht.original Studien 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Jan 5, 2024 · 1 like · 252 followers View post →
Kybele
@KybelesGras · X

@MarcoBuschmann https://t.co/86e7ZbZhM6 Hier die Studien im Original. Studien an anderen Säugetieren bestätigen das. Wenn Väter gleich verbunden zum Kind wären, hätten sie Brüste. Studie 1 2017 Elseline hoekzema https://t.co/wuJKNfY5l9 Studie 2 2021 https://t.co/iOXjdkK69k

Dec 31, 2023 · 2 likes · 252 followers View post →
Sarah T. Boyo
@SarahTBoyo1 · X

@MarcoBuschmann Ich habe nicht verstanden, warum es bei der Gleichheit von Frau und Mann vor dem Gesetz so relevant ist, seine empfundene Geschlechtlichkeit zu ändern, zumal nachgewiesene neuronale Veränderungen auf Schwangerschaftshormonen basieren. https://t.co/YvMTg67qpS

Aug 23, 2023 · 1 like · 14 followers View post →
白土大成┃第12回日本サルコペニア・フレイル学会大会 副実行委員長
@shiratsuchi_ger · X

産衛学会で気になった情報 Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure 妊娠後の灰白質減少 5つの健康習慣によるがんリスクチェック NIPPON DATA 食事による循環器疾患リスク予測ツール Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Chart by Dietary Factors in Japan - NIPPON DATA80

May 27, 2023 · 2 likes · 820 followers View post →
ATHEER
@Sciencegoodread · X

Hoekzema, E., Barba-Müller, E., Pozzobon, C. et al. Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nat Neurosci 20, 287–296 (2017). https://t.co/KXYVcR1PVO

Apr 26, 2023 · 59 followers View post →
Docteur Denys
@DocteurDenys · X

#neuroplasticité : la maternité modifie de cerveau de la femme avec des modifications sur des mois voire des années ! La preuve physiologique de l’attachement et une preuve supplémentaire des pouvoirs du cerveau https://t.co/c6iGSQjzmT

Apr 19, 2023 · 89 followers View post →
washparkhorn
@washparkhorn · X

@Grimezsz Hoekzema, E. (2017). Hoekzema E, Barba-Müller E, Pozzobon C, Picado M, Lucco F, Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nat Neurosci. 2017 Feb;20(2):287-296. doi: 10.1038/nn.4458. Epub 2016 Dec 19. PMID: 27991897.

Mar 2, 2023 · 1 like · 217 followers View post →
Javier de Domingo (psicólogo, terapeuta perinatal)
@javidedomingo · X

RT @IEPerinatal: .@susanna_carmona: «El cerebro de una mujer que ha pasado por un embarazo es distinto a la mujer que no». La historia de…

Feb 16, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,645 followers View post →
El buscador
@ultimobuscador · X

RT @IEPerinatal: .@susanna_carmona: «El cerebro de una mujer que ha pasado por un embarazo es distinto a la mujer que no». La historia de…

Feb 16, 2023 · 2 shares · 322 followers View post →
Salud Mental Perinatal | Perinatal Mental Health
@IEPerinatal · X

.@susanna_carmona: «El cerebro de una mujer que ha pasado por un embarazo es distinto a la mujer que no». La historia de cómo llegaron a hacer una investigación en torno a ello es maravillosa. Aquí el #estudio, por si tenéis curiosidad: https://t.co/6Bf4eIw7Af

Feb 16, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 2,599 followers View post →
MattiePearl
@MattiePearl8 · X

“Pregnancy resculpts women's brains for at least 2 years Novel study finds striking, lasting changes in brain areas involved in social cognition” https://t.co/V5emmYbva3 “Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure” #grey_matter https://t.co/kbj5nTDhSj

Jan 19, 2023 · 6 followers View post →
Alzira
@alzirauyar · X

RT @DarriellePannos: @oneawkwardmom But also, A 2017 study found a decrease in gray matter in brains of moms’ brains which is responsible f…

Oct 4, 2022 · 1 share · 454 followers View post →
Darrielle Pannos
@DarriellePannos · X

@oneawkwardmom But also, A 2017 study found a decrease in gray matter in brains of moms’ brains which is responsible for social cognition. The changes were still present two years later, suggesting that having a baby may lead to permanent structural changes in the brain https://t.co/nq0vXc53TP

Oct 2, 2022 · 25 likes · 1 share · 55 followers View post →
Callan
@callanswag2 · X

@sangrigio @LilaGraceRose Yes Ik but those don’t outweigh what I’m saying. Here: https://t.co/Ox5fbTgqHZ. Here: https://t.co/GlHFTMxSQG. Here: https://t.co/zJvs00YxPH. Here: https://t.co/XwEWmJfY0U.

Sep 23, 2022 · 642 followers View post →
ML
@BeyondRheasRock · X

@BetteMidler original link not functioning: https://t.co/ZYQ8DTqNeu

Sep 5, 2021 · 289 followers View post →
ML
@BeyondRheasRock · X

@SharylAttkisson My original link was broken. Not sure if this is exactly reproduced https://t.co/ZYQ8DTqNeu

Aug 31, 2021 · 289 followers View post →
Donna Flynn
@flynnd25 · X

RT @ArginteanuMarc: Any mother can tell you that after having a baby, her body was permanently changed. her brain may also be forever chan…

May 16, 2021 · 2 shares · 168 followers View post →
Marc Arginteanu, MD
@ArginteanuMarc · X

Any mother can tell you that after having a baby, her body was permanently changed. her brain may also be forever changed the gray matter in the mother's ventral striatum (reward center of the brain) may be permanently altered https://t.co/xSynydSdUX https://t.co/532iQrUufo

May 16, 2021 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 35,416 followers View post →
UCSB Prego Fact Checkers
@PregoFactswUCSB · X

Works Cited: 1. https://t.co/OPQsKWRC8Y 2. https://t.co/9MdQT0oybk 3. https://t.co/KDCba08aKW

Mar 12, 2021 · 17 followers View post →
Carola López Moya
@mamaresiliente · X

@Faynadena @d_feminista @MAbolicion @pictofem Mira, creo que es este. https://t.co/lSYJHRm2Kv

Jan 9, 2021 · 19,401 followers View post →
Marian Posăceanu
@dakull · X

@jcsrb Not sure you need a study for that - more like your brain literally changes once you have a kid so that the child becomes you "main" focus. https://t.co/4dzJfHjtyK From this you could extrapolate that it also affects our FB. avatars :)

Aug 30, 2020 · 1 like · 578 followers View post →
keen
@ddasi4keen · X

RT @HotPaperTweet: 【性別】【医学】子どもを産むと母親の脳の構造が変わると判明。出産前と比べ、出産2年後では、MRIで判別できる程度に、脳の灰白質が減るという。「他の人も自分と同じ心を持っている」と私達が感じる心の理論に関係した領域で、シナプス剪定と再編成が起…

Mar 23, 2020 · 49 shares · 198 followers View post →
ACA.木造新建築研究所 「非営利」https://acalab.hatenablog.com
@ACA_LAB · X

RT @HotPaperTweet: 【性別】【医学】子どもを産むと母親の脳の構造が変わると判明。出産前と比べ、出産2年後では、MRIで判別できる程度に、脳の灰白質が減るという。「他の人も自分と同じ心を持っている」と私達が感じる心の理論に関係した領域で、シナプス剪定と再編成が起…

Mar 17, 2019 · 49 shares · 4,717 followers View post →
may
@middsphd · X

RT @HotPaperTweet: 【性別】【医学】子どもを産むと母親の脳の構造が変わると判明。出産前と比べ、出産2年後では、MRIで判別できる程度に、脳の灰白質が減るという。「他の人も自分と同じ心を持っている」と私達が感じる心の理論に関係した領域で、シナプス剪定と再編成が起…

Feb 4, 2019 · 49 shares · 419 followers View post →
大ケケ
@Bigbamboo7583 · X

RT @HotPaperTweet: 【性別】【医学】子どもを産むと母親の脳の構造が変わると判明。出産前と比べ、出産2年後では、MRIで判別できる程度に、脳の灰白質が減るという。「他の人も自分と同じ心を持っている」と私達が感じる心の理論に関係した領域で、シナプス剪定と再編成が起…

Jan 13, 2019 · 49 shares · 289 followers View post →