Dynamic developmental changes in neurotransmitters supporting infant attachment learning
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2023-08-01; 151: 105249
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105249
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Colombel N(1), Ferreira G(2), Sullivan RM(3), Coureaud G(4).
Author information:
(1)Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon 1 Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France.
(2)FoodCircus group, NutriNeuro Lab, INRAE 1286, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France.
(3)Emotional Brain Institute, The Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, USA.
(4)Sensory NeuroEthology Group, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Lyon 1 University, Jean-Monnet University, Bron, France. Electronic address: .
Infant survival relies on rapid identification, remembering and behavioral
responsiveness to caregivers’ sensory cues. While neural circuits supporting
infant attachment learning have largely remained elusive in children, use of
invasive techniques has uncovered some of its features in rodents. During a
10-day sensitive period from birth, newborn rodents associate maternal odors
with maternal pleasant or noxious thermo-tactile stimulation, which gives rise
to a preference and approach behavior towards these odors, and blockade of
avoidance learning. Here we review the neural circuitry supporting this neonatal
odor learning, unique compared to adults, focusing specifically on the early
roles of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, GABA (Gamma-AminoButyric Acid),
serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, in the olfactory bulb, the anterior
piriform cortex and amygdala. The review highlights the importance of deepening
our knowledge of age-specific infant brain neurotransmitters and behavioral
functioning that can be translated to improve the well-being of children during
typical development and aid in treatment during atypical development in
childhood clinical practice, and the care during rearing of domestic animals.
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