In the Pregnancy Brain Lab, we investigate peripartum brain plasticity, focusing primarily on the effects of pregnancy on the human brain. Animal studies have demonstrated a remarkable reproduction-related neural plasticity, and we have previously shown for the first time that pregnancy renders changes in the grey matter structure of the human brain. More recently, we have also demonstrated that becoming a mother involves changes in brain function (read more).
By means of prospective pre-conception cohort studies, we investigate how pregnancy changes different aspects of brain anatomy, microstructure, metabolism, connectivity, network organization and activity. In addition, we examine the biological (e.g. hormones, genetics, the microbiome) and other factors (e.g. stress, sleep, psychosocial aspects) that drive these changes and the functional implications for the mother-infant dyad. One of the topics of interest is how these neural changes relate to the development of disorders of maternal mental health. Such as peripartum depression.
New studies in our lab also focus specifically on the relation between peripartum neural changes and the development of disorders of maternal mental health. By examining brain structure and function in women suffering from mother-infant bonding disorders and postpartum depression. Furthermore, we investigate how becoming a mother alters different brain functions and we map how the brain is altered across a second pregnancy. Finally, in our lab we examine the similarity between human-based changes and those in monkeys and rodents, allowing us to shed light on the evolutionary conservation of peripartum neuroplasticity.
The research projects in this group have primarily been supported by the European Research Council (ERC) and Dutch Research Council (NWO). By means of an ERC Starting Grant; ‘Veni’ and ‘Vidi’ Innovational Research Grants (NWO) awarded to Dr. Elseline Hoekzema. Our results have been covered extensively in the international media. For more information, see www.pregnancybrainlab.com.
Team members
dr. Elseline Hoekzema Principal Investigator.
dr. Milou Straathof Postdoctoral researcher.
dr. Klara Sifalakis-Spalek Postdoctoral researcher.
Sophie van ‘t Hof PhD student.
Sara Halmans PhD student.