Grandma Brain: Neuroscience Explains the Grandkid-Love Circuit
MRI scans of 50 grandmothers showed heightened activity in brain regions tied to emotional empathy when viewing their grandchildren, suggesting a neural basis for the intense grandma bond; the response differs from when they view their own children, which taps cognitive empathy; researchers are exploring oxytocin levels and whether being a grandmother slows brain aging, with other studies noting grandparent involvement benefits grandparents' health and grandchildren's well-being.