Maternal postpartum alcohol use and neural activation to infant cues in the fourth trimester: Preliminary results

• In Event: Perinatal Substance Use affects the Neural Basis of Mother-Infant Attachment

Abstract

Introduction. Maternal alcohol use in the postpartum period may affect remodeling of the ‘maternal behavior neurocircuit (MBN),’ a coordinated network of regions of the brain that undergo remodeling in the postpartum period, enabling new mothers to adapt to infants’ needs, prevent harm, and develop affection and empathy. Disruptions in remodeling of the MBN may lead to disruptions in caregiving. The goal of this pilot study was to examine the association between postpartum alcohol use and activation to infant cues in the MBN.

Methods. 25 first-time mothers were recruited in third trimester (38% with moderate-heavy alcohol use). At 1 and 3 months postpartum, we used fMRI to measure brain responses to pictures “own” versus age- and gender-matched “unknown” infants in 4 affect states (happy, distressed, neutral, ambiguous).

Results. Women were 31 years old (SD=5), 80% White, 8% Hispanic, 80% breastfeeding. fMRI results showed a significant four-way interaction between alcohol use, time, own/unknown infant, and infant affect in the right precuneus (p=.005). In women with greater alcohol use, activation in the precuneus decreased over time in response to own infant cues, particularly when infants showed distressed and joyful faces, relative to women with minimal alcohol use. Patterns of results also indicated that women with greater postpartum alcohol use reported more infant-focused anxiety and bonding problems. Groups did not differ on perinatal depressive symptoms.

Conclusions. Results indicate that women with greater postpartum alcohol use may experience disruptions in remodeling of the MBN that could results in less sensitive responses to infants' social cues.

Authors

• Margaret Bublitz, The Miriam Hospital
  Presenting Author

• James E. Swain, Stony Brook Unviersity
  Non-Presenting Author

• Shoshanna Lustig, The Miriam Hospital
  Non-Presenting Author

• Daniel P Dickstein, McLean Hospital
  Non-Presenting Author