Maternal care, gene expression, and the transmission of individual differences in stress reactivity across generations.

@article{Meaney2001MaternalCG,
  title={Maternal care, gene expression, and the transmission of individual differences in stress reactivity across generations.},
  author={Michael J. Meaney},
  journal={Annual review of neuroscience},
  year={2001},
  volume={24},
  pages={
          1161-92
        }
}
  • M. Meaney
  • Published 2001
  • Psychology, Biology
  • Annual review of neuroscience
Naturally occurring variations in maternal care alter the expression of genes that regulate behavioral and endocrine responses to stress, as well as hippocampal synaptic development. These effects form the basis for the development of stable, individual differences in stress reactivity and certain forms of cognition. Maternal care also influences the maternal behavior of female offspring, an effect that appears to be related to oxytocin receptor gene expression, and which forms the basis for… 

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