THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF ATTACHMENT

Objective:

The emotional bond uniting the care giver and the child is defined as attachment. Maternal behavior of humans is shaped with the effects of cognitive, genetic, cultural, sociological, geoghraphic factors and neurohormones. Oxytocin and vasopressin are two hormones associated with the biology of attachment. The objective of this review was to overview the studies that had been performed on the neurobiological bases of mothering and attachment and the suggested hypothesis about the attachment pathologies.

Method:

For this review 68 references were searched and 50 of them were used. Pubmed search engine was used for the literature search and “attachment, parenthood, maternal care, oxytosin, vasopressin, social recognition, social behavior, affiliation” were used as key words. References about the neurobiology of attachment were used for the review.

Results:

The brain areas like anterior cingulate cortex, septal area, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, medial preoptic area of hypothalamus and mesencephalic junctions; and hormones like oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin and endogen opioids have an important role on the neurobiology of attachment and care giving. Data of researches shows us that biochemical changes taking place in the biological systems of mothers before and during giving birth can prepare them for “mothering”.

Discussion:

It is important to understand the neurobiology and neurochemical circuits underlying attachment pathologies, depression and panic disorders for preventive mental health of children, adolescents and adults. Future studies will further help us to understand these issues.