Maternal behavior amygdala

Lateral efferents of the MPOA innervate septum, amygdala, other hypothalamic regions, ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain, and midbrain central gray matter (Numan, 1986). Studies have shown that the MPOA-VTA-basal ganglia (BG) circuit is believed to be of importance in maternal behavior because the BG is a major component of the extrapyramidal system (EPS) (Numan, 1986). Perhaps MPOA neurons relevant to maternal behavior via the BG to EPS promote the somatic-motor processes underlying maternal responsiveness (Numan, 1986). 

Numan, M., Numan, M.J., and English, J.B. (1993) Excitotoxic amino acid injections into the medial amygdala facilitate maternal behavior in virgin female rats. Horm Behav 27 56-81. 

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