The Science of 'Dad Brain' | Darby Saxbe (Mom of 2, USC Professor & Researcher)

Startup Dad

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In this chapter, the discussion revolves around the changes in the male brain post-parenthood, addressing stress hormone impacts, neuroplasticity, and altered brain networks. The episode compares brain changes in new fathers and mothers, emphasizing the significance for public policies and parental support.

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Darby Saxbe is a professor at USC and holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her research includes studying the effects of stress hormones in couples and most importantly the changes that the male brain undergoes after becoming a parent. She has scientifically discovered slight gray matter loss in men following fatherhood and termed it Dad Brain. She is currently writing a book about her research. She’s also a wife, musician in a Mom Band and mother of two kids! In our conversation today we discussed:

* Early influences on her scientific research

* What it was like having two kids while getting your post doc

* The neuroplasticity of the brain

* Stress hormones in couples

* How fatherhood reshapes men’s brains to make them more efficient

* Changes in the ‘default mode network’ and the visual network in new Dads

* How brain changes are different in new Dads vs. new Moms

* The implications of her research for public policy, paid family leave and the support for new parents

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Where to find Darby Saxbe

* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darbysaxbe/

* X: https://twitter.com/Darbysaxbe

* USC: https://dornsife.usc.edu/nestlab/

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[1:52] Welcome

[2:25] Professional background

[5:18] What was the spark for the research?

[8:26] Did having children during postdoc help shape research?

[10:08] Cortisol

[13:57] Dad brain

[25:55] Should we worry about brain shrinkage after becoming a parent?

[29:55] Brain efficiency in parenting

[31:33] Default mode and visual network for Dads

[35:43] Enhancement in social cognition

[38:06] Indifference

[40:35] Parental leave

[44:48] Darby’s book/ future research

[48:35] Advice to new parents/dads

[51:10] Follow along

[52:05] Darby’s Mom band

[54:55] Rapid fire

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Show references:

Darby’s Research: https://dornsife.usc.edu/nestlab/publications/

Prenatal prolactin predicts postnatal parenting attitudes and brain structure remodeling in first-time fathers: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453023003104

Darby on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=q676bXMAAAAJ

Dad Brain is Real: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/16/opinion/dad-brain-fatherhood-parenting.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0E0.biCq.04uwT7G2QN-x&smid=url-share

More on Dad Brain: https://theconversation.com/brain-study-identifies-a-cost-of-caregiving-for-new-fathers-227319

Cortical volume reductions in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood: https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article-abstract/34/4/bhae126/7645338?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

USC: https://www.usc.edu/

Fulbright: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

UK Biobank: https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/

Scrooge McDuck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrooge_McDuck

Super Why: https://pbskids.org/superwhy/

Inside Out: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/

Inside Out 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22022452/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Beetlejuice: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/

Throwing Muses: https://throwingmuses.com/

The Killers: https://www.thekillersmusic.com/

Breeders: https://www.thebreedersmusic.com/

Seven Up!: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058578/