MRI study on the impact of intergenerational caregiving on the structure and function of grandparents' brains
10.3969/j.issn.1002-1671.2025.06.001
- VernacularTitle:隔代抚养对祖辈大脑结构和功能影响的MRI研究
- Author:
Wenxi FENG
1
;
Yifeng LUO
;
Zhihong CAO
;
Jiyuan GE
;
Qingyue LAN
;
Chenyu PAN
;
Rongfeng QI
;
Guangming LU
;
Li ZHANG
;
Luo'an WU
Author Information
1. 江苏大学附属宜兴医院放射科,江苏 无锡 214200
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
intergenerational caregiving;
magnetic resonance imaging;
surface-based morphometry;
degree centrality
- From:
Journal of Practical Radiology
2025;41(6):895-899
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the impact of intergenerational caregiving on the brain structure and function of grandparents,and to analyze its correlation with caregiving factors.Methods Healthy adults(66 with grandchildren,24 without grandchildren)were recruited as study subjects,and clinical and MRI data were collected.Resting-state brain functional degree centrality(DC)and surface-based morphometry(SBM)methods were used to compare the differences in brain structure and function between the groups with and without grandchildren.The correlation between the differences in brain regions and △ values with grandchild's age,number,and time spent in childcare were assessed,respectively.Results Compared to the group without grandchildren,the group with grandchildren showed reduced surface area and cortical volume in the left middle temporal gyrus,as well as decreased DC values in the left medial superior frontal gyrus,bilateral orbital superior frontal gyrus,and left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus(P＜0.05),respectively.In the grandchildren group,DC values and △ values in the left orbital superior frontal gyrus,left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus were significantly positively correlated with time spent in childcare.Conclusion The brain structures and functions of grandparents related to empathy and motivation are changed in intergenerational caregiving,which may reveal the neuroplasticity after caring for their grandchildren.
