The team found that the patterns of brain activity
were very similar to those identified in an earlier study looking at the effects of romantic love .
Both studies recorded increased activity in parts of the brain's "reward system" .
When these areas are stimulated,
as they can be by food and drink, or even monetary gain
they produce feelings of euphoria .
But perhaps more surprisingly,
both studies also showed reduced levels of activity in the systems necessary for making negative judgements .
Lead researcher Dr Andreas Bartels said it was crucial
that both romantic and maternal love were viewed by the brain in a highly positive way,
because both were crucial to the perpetuation of the species.