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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Experience-Dependent Remodeling of Juvenile Brain Olfactory Sensory Neuron Synaptic Connectivity in an Early-Life Critical Period

Experience-Dependent Remodeling of Juvenile Brain Olfactory Sensory Neuron Synaptic Connectivity in an Early-Life Critical Period

Published on: March 1, 2024

Nurturing nature: social experiences and the brain.

Frances A Champagne¹

¹Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York NY, USA.

Journal of Neuroendocrinology

|August 19, 2009

Summary

Maternal care epigenetically modifies infant brain genes, influencing social behaviors. These changes impact nurturing behaviors in offspring, highlighting gene-environment interactions across life.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Genetics
Developmental Psychology

Background:

Maternal care is crucial for infant development.
Environmental factors can influence gene expression.
Behavioral inheritance involves complex interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how maternal care impacts infant brain gene expression.
To understand the long-term effects of early life experiences on behavior.
To explore the interplay between genes and social environment in shaping behavior.

Main Methods:

Epigenetic analysis of specific genes in infant brains.
Behavioral assessments of maternal and offspring nurturing.
Longitudinal studies tracking behavioral changes across the lifespan.

More Related Videos

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

Published on: May 3, 2017

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Experience-Dependent Remodeling of Juvenile Brain Olfactory Sensory Neuron Synaptic Connectivity in an Early-Life Critical Period

Experience-Dependent Remodeling of Juvenile Brain Olfactory Sensory Neuron Synaptic Connectivity in an Early-Life Critical Period

Published on: March 1, 2024

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

Published on: May 3, 2017

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

Main Results:

Maternal care alters gene expression patterns in the infant brain.
Affected genes are linked to maternal and social behaviors.
Offspring exhibit long-term changes in nurturing behavior.

Conclusions:

Early life nurturing can epigenetically program the brain.
Gene-environment interactions are critical for behavioral inheritance.
Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into social behavior development.