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.