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- Title
Pup Suckling Is More Rewarding Than Cocaine: Evidence from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Three-Dimensional Computational Analysis.
- Authors
Ferris, Craig F.; Kulkarni, Praveen; Sullivan Jr., John M.; Harder, Josie A.; Messenger, Tara L.; Febo, Marcelo
- Abstract
Nursing has reciprocal benefits for both mother and infant, helping to promote maternal behavior and bonding. To test the "rewarding" nature of nursing, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to map brain activity in lactating dams exposed to their suckling pups versus cocaine. Suckling stimulation in lactating dams and cocaine exposure in virgin females activated the dopamine reward system. In contrast, lactating dams exposed to cocaine instead of pups showed a suppression of brain activity in the reward system. These data support the notion that pup stimulation is more reinforcing than cocaine, underscoring the importance of pup seeking over other rewarding stimuli during lactation.
- Subjects
BRAIN; LACTATION; PARENTAL behavior in animals; COCAINE; MAGNETIC resonance imaging
- Publication
Journal of Neuroscience, 2005, Vol 25, Issue 1, p149
- ISSN
0270-6474
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3156-04.2005