Understanding the Brain's Response to Motherhood
Silvana Valtcheva’s new research group explores neuroplasticity in the maternal brain
A new research group has been established at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research to investigate the changes that occur in the brain during the postpartum period. Led by Silvana Valtcheva, the group aims to understand how the brain adapts during the transition to motherhood and the effect this has on behaviour and physiology.
Titled "Postpartum Neurocircuits", the research group will focus on the neural mechanisms underlying the dynamic changes that occur in the brain during and after the postpartum period. Using lactating mice as a model, the researchers will study how the brain responds to cues from offspring and how this information is integrated into neural circuits.
'We are particularly interested in understanding how the brain changes with experience and how this affects behaviour and physiology,' said Dr Valtcheva. 'The postpartum period is a unique window of opportunity to study massive remodelling of the brain, and we hope to gain insights into the neural mechanisms that enable and sustain these changes.'
The researchers will use a combination of behavioural tracking, electrophysiology and hormonal analysis to study the neural circuits involved in the postpartum period. They will also investigate how the new role of motherhood affects the mother's needs, including changes in eating, sleeping and stress responses.
The research group receives funding from the Lise Meitner programme, a prestigious initiative by the Max Planck Society that supports exceptional female scientists early in their careers. The programme aims to promote the advancement of women in science and increase their representation in leadership positions in research institutions.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the MPI community,” said Dr Valtcheva. ‘The collaborative and supportive atmosphere at the institute is perfect for my research, and coming to MPI was a natural choice for me.’
About Silvana Valtcheva
Silvana Valtcheva studied at the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, where she obtained her PhD in neuroscience in 2016. After completing her postdoctoral research at New York University School of Medicine, she was appointed as an Emmy Noether Group Leader at the University of Cologne in 2022. In 2025, she joined the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research as a Lise Meitner Group Leader.