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CARTA: The Biology of Grandmaternal Love with James Rilling

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Manage episode 471852286 series 1457369
Content provided by UCTV. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by UCTV or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Grandmothers play a key role as alloparents in human families. A leading hypothesis suggests that the inclusive fitness benefits of grandmaternal care selected for an extended female lifespan after reproduction, a unique trait among primates. Beyond lifespan extension, grandmothers may have biological adaptations for caregiving. Research from our lab shows grandmothers have lower DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) compared to non-grandmothers, with lower methylation linked to stronger bonds with grandchildren. MRI scans reveal grandmothers have a lower brain age than controls, further reduced among those with higher engagement. These findings suggest grandmotherhood may enhance oxytocin signaling, promoting bonding and slowing brain aging. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40383]
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212 episodes

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Manage episode 471852286 series 1457369
Content provided by UCTV. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by UCTV or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Grandmothers play a key role as alloparents in human families. A leading hypothesis suggests that the inclusive fitness benefits of grandmaternal care selected for an extended female lifespan after reproduction, a unique trait among primates. Beyond lifespan extension, grandmothers may have biological adaptations for caregiving. Research from our lab shows grandmothers have lower DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) compared to non-grandmothers, with lower methylation linked to stronger bonds with grandchildren. MRI scans reveal grandmothers have a lower brain age than controls, further reduced among those with higher engagement. These findings suggest grandmotherhood may enhance oxytocin signaling, promoting bonding and slowing brain aging. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40383]
  continue reading

212 episodes

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