Numan Michael
Department of Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev. 2006 Dec;5(4):163-90. doi: 10.1177/1534582306288790.
A theoretical neural model is developed, along with supportive evidence, to explain how the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus can regulate maternal responsiveness toward infant-related stimuli. It is proposed that efferents from a hormone-primed MPOA (a) depress a central aversion system (composed of neural circuits between the amygdala, medial hypothalamus, and midbrain) so that novel infant stimuli do not activate defensive or avoidance behavior and (b) excite the mesolimbic dopamine system so that active, voluntary maternal responses are promoted. The effects of oxytocin and maternal experience are included in the model, and the specificity of MPOA effects are discussed. The model may be relevant to the mechanisms through which other hypothalamic nuclei regulate other basic motivational states. In addition, aspects of the model may define a core neural circuitry for maternal behavior in mammals.
我们开发了一个理论神经模型，并提供了支持性证据，以解释下丘脑内侧视前区（MPOA）如何调节母体对婴儿相关刺激的反应。研究提出，来自激素启动的MPOA的传出神经（a）抑制中枢厌恶系统（由杏仁核、下丘脑内侧和中脑之间的神经回路组成），使新的婴儿刺激不会激活防御或回避行为，（b）兴奋中脑边缘多巴胺系统，从而促进积极、自主的母体反应。该模型纳入了催产素和母体经验的影响，并讨论了MPOA效应的特异性。该模型可能与其他下丘脑核调节其他基本动机状态的机制相关。此外，该模型的某些方面可能定义了哺乳动物母体行为的核心神经回路。
