The paternal brain: longitudinal insights into structural and functional plasticity and attachment over 24 weeks postpartum

Translational Psychiatry, vol. 16

Abstract

Over the last two decades, interest in the neurobiological basis of parenthood has grown, with the primary focus being on maternal neuroplasticity. However, research on paternal brain adaptations remains limited and inconclusive. This longitudinal study investigated gray matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes in 25 fathers immediately after childbirth and at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum. Morphological changes were most evident as reductions in GMV within the bilateral occipital, frontal, temporal and parietal cortices, as well as the temporo-parietal junction, and the insular and hippocampal regions during the first six weeks, followed by gradual stabilization. From 12 weeks onward, local GMV increases were observed in the frontal and cerebellar regions. Connectivity analysis revealed significant reorganization within the Salience, Default Mode, and Frontoparietal Networks, with peak changes during the first 9 weeks marked by a shift from sensory processing to enhanced cognitive and affective processing. Additional rsFC analysis identified increased amygdala-cingulate and amygdala-hippocampal connectivity, indicating a significant link between the amygdala and paternal attachment during the first 12 weeks. These findings outline a clear trajectory of paternal neuroplasticity and adaptation during the early postpartum period, followed by maintenance and fine-tuning processes that likely facilitate paternal caregiving behaviors. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials register (DRKS; ID: DRKS00024875).

Authors 5

1. Negin Daneshnia corresponding Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Faculty of Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. ndaneshnia@ukaachen.de

2. Elena Maria Losse Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Faculty of Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

3. Angela Kurz Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Faculty of Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

4. Natalia Chechko Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Faculty of Medicine

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behavior (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany

   Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA- Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany

5. Susanne Nehls Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Faculty of Medicine

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA- Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany