The neural and hormonal bases of human parentalcare

► Oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin and testosterone affect parental behavior in rodents, primates and humans. ► There is widespread overlap between parental brain systems and the neural systems involved in social cognition. ► Effective parenting may involve maintaining physiological responses within a range that is neither too low nor too high. ► There is a need for more studies on the neural bases of human allomaternalcare.