Research has suggested the amygdala and the hippocampus are neuroanatomical structures associated with the recognition and memory of facial expresssions. The natal hippocampus is vulnerable to a variety of metabolic disturbances, including hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and iron deprivation. A common human condition that mimics that of the rat is maternal diabetes. We have been following since birth a cohort of infants of diabetic mothers. Both groups viewed pictures of models depicting facial expressions of happy, fear and anger.
Results suggest that both groups process emotions significantly in the frontal lobe.