Jornal de Histologia Molecular e Fisiologia Médica

Maternal Separation during Neonatal Period Leads to Gender-based Differences in Brain Development

Abstract

Vivek Vardhaman

The study investigated the effects of neonatal maternal separation on brain development, emphasizing the emergence of sexual dimorphism in the neural structure and function. Using a rodent model, we examined the impact of early-life separation from dams on various aspects of brain development, including morphology, connectivity, and neurochemical profiles. Our findings suggest that neonatal maternal separation leads to distinct patterns of brain development in male and female subjects, highlighting the importance of early-life experiences in shaping sexual dimorphism in the brain.