Converging influence of neonatal novelty experience and maternal self-stress regulation on the plasticity of offspring acoustic startle response latency

► Mothers modulate but not mediate the influence of novelty on offspring behavioral plasticity. ► Mothers' self stress regulation sets the direction of novelty-induced long-term plasticity. ► Neonatal novelty quickens startle response when the mother's stress regulation is poor. ► Neonatal novelty slows the response over repeated startles under similar maternal condition.