News Neuroscience

Pregnancy overhauls the brain. Here’s what that looks like

Neuroscientist Liz Chrastil’s brain scans offer the clearest look yet at neural changes in pregnancy

A clear model of a human brain shows colorful thin lines moving from one part of the brain to another.

As researcher Liz Chrastil went through pregnancy, her white matter tracts, structural highways that move information across the brain, strengthened temporarily. Each color marks one tract.

Daniela Cossio

By Laura Sanders

Pregnancy overhauls a woman’s body. The brain is no exception.

A detailed study of a woman’s brain before, during and after pregnancy revealed sweeping neural changes, some of which stuck around months after her baby was born.