Mothers' support linked to robust growth of brain area involved in learning, memory, stress response
New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates children with supportive mothers during preschool experience a more significant increase in the volume of the hippocampus during the period from school age to adolescence.
In contrast, kids whose mothers were less supportive during the preschool years had a less steep growth trajectory, even if their mothers became more supportive later.
The researchers measured support and nurturing by monitoring and scoring videotaped interactions between mothers and their children.
Credit: Washington University School of Medicine
