The Maternal Brain Project focuses on the profound neural adaptations that occur during pregnancy and postpartum.
Overview
To what extent is the adult human brain capable of extensive neuroplasticity? Could the remarkable remodeling of the maternal brain inspire new treatments for stroke or brain injury? Can we detect early biological signs of postpartum depression before it manifests? And what lasting effects do pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes have on brain health? To answer these questions—and many more—a global team of experts in neuroscience, reproductive immunology, proteomics, and AI have joined forces to chart the maternal brain’s transformation—searching for insights that could enhance brain health for everyone.
Image Credit: Susana Carmona
In 2024 our team generated the first detailed map of the human brain across pregnancy. Now we are launching a global expansion of the Maternal Brain Project with the goal of generating brain, biofluid, cognitive, and health data from 1,000+ mothers followed longitudinally, establishing the largest and most comprehensive maternal neuroimaging database to date.
Data collection is underway in Santa Barbara and Madrid, made possible by a partnership with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to enroll 200 first-time mothers.
Team
In the News
Media links and key publications
Explore our publications to learn more about the discoveries emerging from our research. Visit our Study Resources page for information on accessing data, collaborating, or joining our scientific community. If you're interested in contributing to science firsthand, find out how to participate in research and help advance women's brain health.