Negligent, Attentive Mouse Mothers Show Biological Differences

In mice, child neglect is a product of both nature and nurture, according to a new study.

Writing in the journal PLoS One on April 9, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison describe a strain of mice that exhibit unusually high rates of maternal neglect, with approximately one out of every five females failing to care for her offspring. By comparing the good mothers to their less attentive relatives, the group has found that negligent ... Full Story »

Posted by Leo Romero

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Tish Grier
3.5
by Tish Grier - Oct. 1, 2008

Even though this article presents the results of only one study, it does not mislead by purporting to be sole authority--only that there are some interesting findings in the correlation between dopamine disruption and child neglect. The report is much more cautious and lacks the soundbyte hype that dominates much reporting on similar studies. The column of Related Stories is quite helpful for putting this research in context.

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