The Cognitive Neuroscience of Parenthood

Neuroplasticity within the parental brain supports the development of caregiving behaviour, and a successful transition to parenthood, impacting neurocognitive functioning, behaviour, and the wellbeing of mother, child and family unit across the lifespan. This thesis contributes to our understanding of the structure and function of the human parental brain, the endurance of these effects, and their relationships with cognition across the lifespan. Both acute and enduring impacts of raising children are examined, in mothers at one-year postpartum, and parents of both sexes in late-life. Parenthood is an important neurodevelopmental life-stage, and may be beneficial for maternal neurocognition in late-life.