Neural control of parental behaviors

2018/02/23 by Johannes Kohl, Catherine Dulac · 2 citations
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior #Primate Behavior and Ecology

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.conb.2018.02.002

openalex publication_date 2018/02/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Parenting is a multicomponent social behavior that is essential for the survival of offspring in many species. Despite extensive characterization of individual brain areas involved in parental care, we do not fully understand how discrete aspects of this behavior are orchestrated at the neural circuit level. Recent progress in identifying genetically specified neuronal populations critical for parenting, and the use of genetic and viral tools for circuit-cracking now allow us to deconstruct the underlying circuitry and, thus, to elucidate how different aspects of parental care are controlled. Here we review the latest advances, outline possible organizational principles of parental circuits and discuss future challenges.

Citations

• Grandmothering and the evolution ofHomo erectus

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