Researchers have investigated what happens in the brains of newborn mice when they are near their mothers. They have zoomed in on a specific area, zona incerta. A part that is, among other things, important for sight, hearing, and sensation and which is in contact with several other parts of the brain.
The researchers saw that when the mouse pups interacted with their mothers, special nerve cells in zona incerta were activated.
Toys gave zero
When the researchers placed the mouse pups together with other adult mice, the reactions were slightly different. Together with lactating and non-lactating adult female mice, male mice, and other mouse pups, they saw a certain activation of the nerve cells. But the reaction was not nearly as strong as when they were near their own mother.
The researchers also tested what happened when the mouse pups were placed together with fake mice in the form of various toys, both dolls and mouse-like toys, with the result that the mouse pups did not react at all.
They also saw that when they activated the specific nerve cells artificially, it reduced stress in mice that had been separated from their mother. They became calm and stopped whining.
Provides clues
The researchers write that the study can provide valuable clues about how newborn mammals form a bond with their mother.
"How the mouse pups' brains know that they should be activated just in the presence of their mother, that is still a mystery," writes one of the researchers behind the study in a press comment.
The study is published in the scientific journal Science.
