Brain functional networks associated with social bonding in monogamous voles

López-Gutiérrez, M. Fernanda; Ortiz, Juan José; Camacho, F.; Young, Larry J.; Paredes, Raúl G.; Díaz, Néstor Fabián; Portillo, Wendy; Alcauter, Sarael

doi:10.7554/elife.55081

Cited by 25 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 111 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our partner network features correlations across all of these regions as well. Furthermore, a recent fMRI study in voles reported that functional connectivity of a neural network correlates with partner-directed affiliation (López-Gutiérrez et al, 2021). Our results show similar regional coactivity as well as modular organization suggesting that such interconnected regions may be correlated with affiliative behaviors (e.g., huddling) and rewardprocessing (e.g., mating).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Prior research has employed graph theory to analyze large datasets across a wide array of disciplines including organic chemistry, public transportation, finance, etc., (Garcia-Domenech et al, 2008;Derrible and Kennedy, 2009;Quintero et al, 2013;Qiang and Fan, 2016). In addition, several studies have demonstrated functional connectivity associated with social recognition (Tanimizu et al, 2017), aggression (Teles et al, 2015), mating (Johnson et al, 2016;Kabelik et al, 2018), and positive social interactions (Rilling et al, 2018;López-Gutiérrez et al, 2021). We have used a graph theory approach to generate network models of functional connectivity between multiple brain regions.…”

Section: Neural Network Analysis Using Graph Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pair Bond-Induced Affiliation and Aggression in Male Prairie Voles Elicit Distinct Functional Connectivity in the Social Decision-Making Network

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Complex social behaviors are governed by a neural network theorized to be the social decision-making network (SDMN). However, this theoretical network is not tested on functional grounds. Here, we assess the organization of regions in the SDMN using c-Fos, to generate functional connectivity models during specific social interactions in a socially monogamous rodent, the prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Male voles displayed robust selective affiliation toward a female partner, while exhibiting increased threatening, vigilant, and physically aggressive behaviors toward novel males and females. These social interactions increased c-Fos levels in eight of the thirteen brain regions of the SDMN. Each social encounter generated a distinct correlation pattern between individual brain regions. Thus, hierarchical clustering was used to characterize interrelated regions with similar c-Fos activity resulting in discrete network modules. Functional connectivity maps were constructed to emulate the network dynamics resulting from each social encounter. Our partner functional connectivity network presents similarities to the theoretical SDMN model, along with connections in the network that have been implicated in partner-directed affiliation. However, both stranger female and male networks exhibited distinct architecture from one another and the SDMN. Further, the stranger-evoked networks demonstrated connections associated with threat, physical aggression, and other aversive behaviors. Together, this indicates that distinct patterns of functional connectivity in the SDMN can be detected during select social encounters.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Neural Network Analysis Using Graph Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pair Bond-Induced Affiliation and Aggression in Male Prairie Voles Elicit Distinct Functional Connectivity in the Social Decision-Making Network

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For many years, the prairie vole has served as a model for investigating the neural mechanisms of social behavior [Johnson and Young, 2015;Carter and Perkeybile, 2018;Madrid et al, 2020;López-Gutiérrez et al, 2021;Tripp et al, 2021]. These studies have provided a foundation upon which an understanding of how the cellular and molecular processes that shape cognition can be built.…”

Section: Cellular and Molecular Level Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Level Effects Driving Cognitive and Behavioral Variability among Prairie Voles: Insights into Reproductive Decision-Making from Biological Levels of Organization

Forero

Ophir²

2022

Brain Behav Evol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Behavioral phenotypes play an active role in maximizing fitness and shaping the evolutionary trajectory of species by offsetting the ecological and social environmental factors individuals experience. How these phenotypes evolve and how they are expressed is still a major question in ethology today. In recent years, an increased focus on the mechanisms that regulate the interactions between an individual and its environment has offered novel insights into the expression of alternative phenotypes. In this review, we explore the proximate mechanisms driving the expression of alternative reproductive phenotypes in the male prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) as one example of how the interaction of an individual’s social context and internal milieu has the potential to alter behavior, cognition, and reproductive decision-making. Ultimately, integrating the physiological and psychological mechanisms of behavior advances understanding into how variation in behavior arises. We take a “levels of biological organization” approach, with prime focus placed on the level of the organism to discuss how cognitive processes emerge as traits, and how they can be studied as important mechanisms driving the expression of behavior.

show abstract

“…Microtus voles have become an established system for studying mammalian social structures, reproductive decision‐making, and social behavior. In particular, prairie voles ( M. ochrogaster ) are best known for their impact on understanding the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms associated with pair bonding and social monogamy 28,29,34–36 . The greater vole study system is particularly powerful because closely related species differ in their levels of social organization, mating systems, and propensity to form social bonds, even though they often experience similar ecological pressures in nature 37–40 .…”

Section: Prairie Volesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reciprocal processes of sensory perception and social bonding: an integrated social‐sensory framework of social behavior

Prior

Bentz

Ophir

2021

Genes Brain and Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Organisms filter the complexity of natural stimuli through their individual sensory and perceptual systems. Such perceptual filtering is particularly important for social stimuli.A shared "social umwelt" allows individuals to respond appropriately to the expected diversity of cues and signals during social interactions. In this way, the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of sociality and social bonding cannot be disentangled from perceptual mechanisms and sensory processing. While a degree of embeddedness

show abstract

Brain functional networks associated with social bonding in monogamous voles

Cited by 25 publications

References 111 publications

Pair Bond-Induced Affiliation and Aggression in Male Prairie Voles Elicit Distinct Functional Connectivity in the Social Decision-Making Network

Pair Bond-Induced Affiliation and Aggression in Male Prairie Voles Elicit Distinct Functional Connectivity in the Social Decision-Making Network

Multi-Level Effects Driving Cognitive and Behavioral Variability among Prairie Voles: Insights into Reproductive Decision-Making from Biological Levels of Organization

Reciprocal processes of sensory perception and social bonding: an integrated social‐sensory framework of social behavior

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About