Having children changes the brain of men

American researchers found that having children changed men's brains, especially gray matter, which is related to emotional attachment.

Research by American scientists has shown that physical changes in the new father's brain are amusing and tensions of new roles. This is the first study of this type in the world.

According to research reports published in Social Neuroscience, Yale University (US) scientists used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device to observe what is happening in the minds of men. graduated from university, went to work and had a child. Newly established dads are screened for the first time in 2-4 weeks after their baby is born, and again 2-3 months later.

Researchers found an increase in the amount of gray matter in the brain region associated with emotional attachment in new dads, after their babies were born.(Photo: Daily Mail)

The team found that, in the second MRI, the brains of the volunteers had gray matter expansion in striatum regions (striatum), amygdala (amygdala) and hypothalamus (hypothalamus). . These brain regions are found to play an important role in responding to crying and other actions of children as well as emotional attachment.

The increase in the amount of gray matter is also recorded in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for complex decision making. However, the team observed concurrent gray matter depletion in other areas of the brain of new dads, such as the area associated with memory recovery. This implies that the brain is moving intellectual resources to areas that are more directly related to infant care.

The team concludes: "The initial interactions between father and newborn child and emotional attachment have become the basis for father-son cohesion, which has long-term effects on functions. Awareness and social cohesion for the child later Our discoveries can therefore help identify certain areas of the brain that are of great importance for the bond between the new father and the father. newborn baby ".

The new discovery shows that, when spending time with children, men can take on the role of parents as women when the new baby is born. Still, the researchers still don't know if this is going to be long-term.

A previous study found that men who play a major role in caring for a child become more sensitive to the crying and body language of children, like women.