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Brain Scans Show the Impact of Neglect On a Child's Brain Size

Posted by samzenpus on from the cloth-mom-vs-wire-mom dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A shocking comparison of brain scans from two three-year-old children reveals new evidence of the remarkable impact a mother's love has on a child's brain development. The chilling images reveal that the left brain, which belongs to a normal 3-year-old, is significantly larger and contains fewer spots and dark 'fuzzy' areas than the right brain, which belongs to that of a 3-year-old who has suffered extreme neglect. Neurologists say that the latest images provide more evidence that the way children are treated in their early years is important not only for the child's emotional development, but also in determining the size of their brains. Experts say that the sizeable difference in the two brains is primarily caused by the difference in the way each child was treated by their mothers."

4 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. Sexist! by markdavis · · Score: 4, Interesting

    >"of the remarkable impact a mother's love has on a child's brain development."

    Oh, so only a MOTHER'S love could cause that, not a father's or anyone else...

    1. Re:Sexist! by vux984 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Together, the mother and father can ensure that the child receives a quality education and good nutrition and health care.

      Meh.... 2 fathers and no mothers. a mother and a much older brother. a father and an aunt. a father and an uncle.

      The reality isn't a message isn't about a "father and a mother"; its that 'more is better'.

      More attention and care from more diverse individuals is better.
      Doesn't really matter what the biological relationships or genders are; although its probable that exposure to both genders is ideal - for the inherent diversity that entails. But that could provided by an aunt/uncle or grandparent in a gay couple, or single parent scenario.

  2. Re:Sample size? by CastrTroy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This reminds me of this episode of This American Life which mentioned that kids that undergo a lot of stress at home are basically constantly in a "fight or flight" mode and therefore have a lot of trouble actually sitting down and absorbing information.

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  3. Re:Any other variables..? by DesertJazz · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There was actually a study conducted with real babies I believe in Canada... might have been US in the 1950's or so. They were given absolutely no nurturing at all, fed, changed, that was it. No stimulus was given. It was a terrible chapter in psychology that I remember reading about in college. It was eventually shut down after it went on far too long and the neglected children were permanently scarred from it. I can't seem to find the exact study right now, but it was a very visible and terrible result in those children. If MRI technology had been in use then I'm sure it would probably verify this study too.