Social neuroscience of parenting
Helena Rutherford's research focuses on a unique neurodevelopmental period in adulthood: the transition to parenthood. In particular, her current work examines neuroplasticity of the parental brain during pregnancy and the postpartum period, employing neuroimaging (EEG/ERP, MRI/fMRI), behavioral (observed behavior, reaction time tasks, interview / self-reports), and physiological (hormonal, cardiac) approaches. Rutherford has a specific interest in identifying and measuring neurocognitive mechanisms that underscore parenting with the aim of understanding variations in the quality of parenting to inform interventions and improve outcomes for parents and children.