News > Middle-brain region prompts infanticide or maternal behaviour in female mice

Middle-brain region prompts infanticide or maternal behaviour in female mice

A study in mice conducted by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine has identified a middle-brain region called the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNSTpr) that prompts infanticide in females. The study suggests that the BNSTpr works in opposition to the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which promotes mothering behaviour. The findings shed light on the brain mechanisms and may help understand human behaviour.