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Wang D, Zhao D, Wang W, Hu F, Cui M, Liu J, Meng F, Liu C, Qiu C, Liu D, Xu Z, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Li W, Li C. How do lateral septum projections to the ventral CA1 influence sociability? Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1789-1801. [PMID: 38103246 PMCID: PMC10960288 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202408000-00033/figure1/v/2023-12-16T180322Z/r/image-tiff Social dysfunction is a risk factor for several neuropsychiatric illnesses. Previous studies have shown that the lateral septum (LS)-related pathway plays a critical role in mediating social behaviors. However, the role of the connections between the LS and its downstream brain regions in social behaviors remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a three-chamber test using electrophysiological and chemogenetic approaches in mice to determine how LS projections to ventral CA1 (vCA1) influence sociability. Our results showed that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons were activated following social experience, and that social behaviors were enhanced by chemogenetic modulation of these neurons. Moreover, LS GABAergic neurons extended their functional neural connections via vCA1 glutamatergic pyramidal neurons, and regulating LSGABA→vCA1Glu neural projections affected social behaviors, which were impeded by suppressing LS-projecting vCA1 neuronal activity or inhibiting GABAA receptors in vCA1. These findings support the hypothesis that LS inputs to the vCA1 can control social preferences and social novelty behaviors. These findings provide new insights regarding the neural circuits that regulate sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fengai Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Minghu Cui
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fantao Meng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Cuilan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Changyun Qiu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dunjiang Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhicheng Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yameng Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- College of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Medical Research Center, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Institute for Metabolic & Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
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Warren MR, Young LJ, Liu RC. Vocal recognition of partners by female prairie voles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.24.604991. [PMID: 39091789 PMCID: PMC11291111 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.24.604991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Recognizing conspecifics is vitally important for differentiating kin, mates, offspring and social threats. 1 Although often reliant upon chemical or visual cues, individual recognition across the animal kingdom is also facilitated by unique acoustic signatures in vocalizations. 2-4 However, amongst the large Muroidea superfamily of rodents that encompasses laboratory species amenable to neurobiological studies, there is scant behavioral evidence for individual vocal recognition despite individual acoustic variation. 5-10 Playback studies have found evidence for coarse communicative functions like mate attraction and territorial defense, but limited finer ability to discriminate known individuals' vocalizations. 11-17 Such a capacity would be adaptive for species that form lifelong pair bonds requiring partner identification across timescales, distances and sensory modalities, so to improve the chance of finding individual vocal recognition in a Muroid rodent, we investigated vocal communication in the prairie vole ( Microtus ochrogaster ) - one of the few socially monogamous mammals. 18 We found that the ultrasonic vocalizations of adult prairie voles can communicate individual identity. Even though the vocalizations of individual males change after cohabitating with a female to form a bond, acoustic variation across individuals is greater than within an individual so that vocalizations of different males in a common context are identifiable above chance. Critically, females behaviorally discriminate their partner's vocalizations over a stranger's, even if emitted to another stimulus female. These results establish the acoustic and behavioral foundation for individual vocal recognition in prairie voles, where neurobiological tools 19-22 enable future studies revealing its causal neural mechanisms. Highlights Muroid rodents can display individual vocal recognitionAdult prairie vole USVs are more variable across individuals than social experienceIndividual vole identity can be decoded from their vocalizationsCarefully constructed protocol sustains vole's interest in vocal playbackFemale prairie voles behaviorally recognize their mate's vocalizations.
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Puska G, Szendi V, Dobolyi A. Lateral septum as a possible regulatory center of maternal behaviors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105683. [PMID: 38649125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS) is involved in controlling anxiety, aggression, feeding, and other motivated behaviors. Lesion studies have also implicated the LS in various forms of caring behaviors. Recently, novel experimental tools have provided a more detailed insight into the function of the LS, including the specific role of distinct cell types and their neuronal connections in behavioral regulations, in which the LS participates. This article discusses the regulation of different types of maternal behavioral alterations using the distributions of established maternal hormones such as prolactin, estrogens, and the neuropeptide oxytocin. It also considers the distribution of neurons activated in mothers in response to pups and other maternal activities, as well as gene expressional alterations in the maternal LS. Finally, this paper proposes further research directions to keep up with the rapidly developing knowledge on maternal behavioral control in other maternal brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Puska
- Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vivien Szendi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Arpád Dobolyi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Laboratory of Neuromorphology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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Phillips RA, Oh S, Bach SV, Du Y, Miller RA, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Hicks SC, Page SC, Martinowich K. Transcriptomic characterization of human lateral septum neurons reveals conserved and divergent marker genes across species. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590602. [PMID: 38712125 PMCID: PMC11071425 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS) is a midline, subcortical structure, which regulates social behaviors that are frequently impaired in neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Mouse studies have identified neuronal populations within the LS that express a variety of molecular markers, including vasopressin receptor, oxytocin receptor, and corticotropin releasing hormone receptor, that control specific facets of social behavior. Despite its critical role in the regulation of social behavior and notable gene expression patterns, comprehensive molecular profiling of the human LS has not been performed. Here, we conducted single nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) to generate the first transcriptomic profiles of the human LS using postmortem human brain tissue samples from 3 neurotypical donors. Our analysis identified 4 transcriptionally distinct neuronal cell types within the human LS that are enriched for TRPC4, the gene encoding Trp-related protein 4. Differential expression analysis revealed a distinct LS neuronal cell type that is enriched for OPRM1, the gene encoding the μ-opioid receptor. Leveraging recently collected mouse LS snRNA-seq datasets, we also conducted a cross-species analysis. Our results demonstrate that TRPC4 enrichment in the LS is highly conserved between human and mouse, while FREM2, which encodes FRAS1 related extracellular matrix protein 2, is enriched only in the human LS. Together, these results highlight transcriptional heterogeneity of the human LS, and identify robust marker genes for the human LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Phillips
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Seyun Oh
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Svitlana V. Bach
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yufeng Du
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ryan A. Miller
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stephanie C. Hicks
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie C. Page
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Keri Martinowich
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- The Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Crespi BJ. The Roots of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: What Are the Evolutionary and Neural Bases of Human Mathematics and Technology? BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2024; 99:1-12. [PMID: 38368855 DOI: 10.1159/000537908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neural exaptations represent descent via transitions to novel neural functions. A primary transition in human cognitive and neural evolution was from a predominantly socially oriented primate brain to a brain that also instantiates and subserves science, technology, and engineering, all of which depend on mathematics. Upon what neural substrates and upon what evolved cognitive mechanisms did human capacities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and especially its mathematical underpinnings, emerge? Previous theory focuses on roles for tools, language, and arithmetic in the cognitive origins of STEM, but none of these factors appears sufficient to support the transition. METHODS In this article, I describe and evaluate a novel hypothesis for the neural origins and substrates of STEM-based cognition: that they are based in human kinship systems and human maximizing of inclusive fitness. RESULTS The main evidence for this hypothesis is threefold. First, as demonstrated by anthropologists, human kinship systems exhibit complex mathematical and geometrical structures that function under sets of explicit rules, and such systems and rules pervade and organize all human cultures. Second, human kinship underlies the core algebraic mechanism of evolution, maximization of inclusive fitness, quantified as personal reproduction plus the sum of all effects on reproduction of others, each multiplied by their coefficient of relatedness to self. This is the only "natural" equation expected to be represented in the human brain. Third, functional imaging studies show that kinship-related cognition activates frontal-parietal regions that are also activated in STEM-related tasks. In turn, the decision-making that integrates kinship levels with costs and benefits from alternative behaviors has recently been shown to recruit the lateral septum, a hub region that combines internal (from the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and other regions) and external information relevant to social behavior, using a dedicated subsystem of neurons specific to kinship. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these lines of evidence suggest that kinship systems and kin-associated behaviors may represent exaptations for the origin of human STEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Fricker BA, Kelly AM. From grouping and cooperation to menstruation: Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) are an emerging mammalian model for sociality and beyond. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105462. [PMID: 38000170 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
While spiny mice are primarily used as a model for Type II diabetes and for studying complex tissue regeneration, they are also an emerging model for a variety of studies examining hormones, behavior, and the brain. We began studying the spiny mouse to take advantage of their highly gregarious phenotype to examine how the brain facilitates large group-living. However, this unique rodent can be readily bred and maintained in the lab and can be used to ask a wide variety of scientific questions. In this brief communication we provide an overview of studies that have used spiny mice for exploring physiology and behavior. Additionally, we describe how the spiny mouse can serve as a useful model for researchers interested in studying precocial development, menstruation, cooperation, and various grouping behaviors. With increasingly available technological advancements for non-traditional organisms, spiny mice are well-positioned to become a valuable organism in the behavioral neuroscience community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
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Wallace KJ, Dupeyron S, Li M, Kelly AM. Early life social complexity shapes adult neural processing in the communal spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023:10.1007/s00213-023-06513-5. [PMID: 38055059 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Early life social rearing has profound consequences on offspring behavior and resilience. Yet, most studies examining early life development in rodents use species whose young are born immobile and do not produce complex social behavior until later in development. Furthermore, models of rearing under increased social complexity, rather than deprivation, are needed to provide alternative insight into the development of social neural circuitry. OBJECTIVES To understand precocial offspring social development, we manipulated early life social complexity in the communal spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus and assessed long-term consequences on offspring social behavior, exploration, and neural responses to novel social stimuli. METHODS Spiny mouse pups were raised in the presence or absence of a non-kin breeding group. Upon adulthood, subjects underwent social interaction tests, an open field test, and a novel object test. Subjects were then exposed to a novel conspecific and novel group and neural responses were quantified via immunohistochemical staining in brain regions associated with social behavior. RESULTS Early life social experience did not influence behavior in the test battery, but it did influence social processing. In animals exposed to non-kin during development, adult lateral septal neural responses toward a novel conspecific were weaker and hypothalamic neural responses toward a mixed-sex group were stronger. CONCLUSIONS Communal species may exhibit robust behavioral resilience to the early life social environment. But the early life environment can affect how novel social information is processed in the brain during adulthood, with long-term consequences that are likely to shape their behavioral trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mutian Li
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
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Hiramatsu F, Lightfoot JW. Kin-recognition and predation shape collective behaviors in the cannibalistic nematode Pristionchus pacificus. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011056. [PMID: 38096160 PMCID: PMC10721034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Kin-recognition is observed across diverse species forming an important behavioral adaptation influencing organismal interactions. In many species, the molecular mechanisms involved are difficult to characterize, but in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus molecular components regulating its kin-recognition system have been identified. These determine its predatory behaviors towards other con-specifics which prevents the killing and cannibalization of kin. Importantly, their impact on other interactions including collective behaviors is unknown. Here, we explored a high altitude adapted clade of this species which aggregates abundantly under laboratory conditions, to investigate the influence of the kin-recognition system on their group behaviours. By utilizing pairwise aggregation assays between distinct strains of P. pacificus with differing degrees of genetic relatedness, we observe aggregation between kin but not distantly related strains. In assays between distantly related strains, the aggregation ratio is frequently reduced. Furthermore, abolishing predation behaviors through CRISPR/Cas9 induced mutations in Ppa-nhr-40 result in rival strains successfully aggregating together. Finally, as Caenorhabditis elegans are found naturally occurring with P. pacificus, we also explored aggregation events between these species. Here, aggregates were dominated by P. pacificus with the presence of only a small number of predators proving sufficient to disrupt C. elegans aggregation dynamics. Thus, aggregating strains of P. pacificus preferentially group with kin, revealing competition and nepotism as previously unknown components influencing collective behaviors in nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumie Hiramatsu
- Max Planck Research Group Genetics of Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior–caesar, Bonn, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, Bonn, Germany
| | - James W. Lightfoot
- Max Planck Research Group Genetics of Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior–caesar, Bonn, Germany
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Fricker BA, Ho D, Seifert AW, Kelly AM. Biased brain and behavioral responses towards kin in males of a communally breeding species. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17040. [PMID: 37813903 PMCID: PMC10562393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44257-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In complex social environments, individuals may interact with not only novel and familiar conspecifics but also kin and non-kin. The ability to distinguish between conspecific identities is crucial for most animals, yet how the brain processes conspecific type and how animals may alter behavior accordingly is not well known. We examined whether the communally breeding spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) responds differently to conspecifics that vary in novelty and kinship. In a group interaction test, we found that males can distinguish novel kin from novel non-kin, and preferentially spend time with novel kin over familiar kin and novel non-kin. To determine whether kinship and novelty status are differentially represented in the brain, we conducted immediate early gene tests, which revealed the dorsal, but not ventral, lateral septum differentially processes kinship. Neither region differentially processes social novelty. Further, males did not exhibit differences in prosocial behavior toward novel and familiar conspecifics but exhibited more prosocial behavior with novel kin than novel non-kin. These results suggest that communally breeding species may have evolved specialized neural circuitry to facilitate a bias to be more affiliative with kin, regardless of whether they are novel or familiar, potentially to promote prosocial behaviors, thereby facilitating group cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah Ho
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ashley W Seifert
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, 101 Morgan Building, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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de León Reyes NS, Sierra Díaz P, Nogueira R, Ruiz-Pino A, Nomura Y, de Solis CA, Schulkin J, Asok A, Leroy F. Corticotropin-releasing hormone signaling from prefrontal cortex to lateral septum suppresses interaction with familiar mice. Cell 2023; 186:4152-4171.e31. [PMID: 37669667 PMCID: PMC7615103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Social preference, the decision to interact with one member of the same species over another, is critical to optimize social interactions. Thus, adult rodents favor interacting with novel conspecifics over familiar ones, but whether this social preference stems from neural circuits facilitating interactions with novel individuals or suppressing interactions with familiar ones remains unknown. Here, we identify neurons in the infra-limbic area (ILA) of the mouse prefrontal cortex that express the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and project to the dorsal region of the rostral lateral septum (rLS). We show how release of CRH during familiar encounters disinhibits rLS neurons, thereby suppressing social interactions with familiar mice and contributing to social novelty preference. We further demonstrate how the maturation of CRH expression in ILA during the first 2 post-natal weeks enables the developmental shift from a preference for littermates in juveniles to a preference for novel mice in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Sofia de León Reyes
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Paula Sierra Díaz
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ramon Nogueira
- Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, USA; Zuckerman Mind Brain & Behavior Institute, New York, USA
| | - Antonia Ruiz-Pino
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Yuki Nomura
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Christopher A de Solis
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, USA; Zuckerman Mind Brain & Behavior Institute, New York, USA
| | - Jay Schulkin
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Arun Asok
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, USA; Zuckerman Mind Brain & Behavior Institute, New York, USA
| | - Felix Leroy
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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Newman JP, Zhang J, Cuevas-López A, Miller NJ, Honda T, van der Goes MSH, Leighton AH, Carvalho F, Lopes G, Lakunina A, Siegle JH, Harnett MT, Wilson MA, Voigts J. A unified open-source platform for multimodal neural recording and perturbation during naturalistic behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.30.554672. [PMID: 37693443 PMCID: PMC10491150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.554672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience faces two conflicting demands: long-duration recordings from large neural populations and unimpeded animal behavior. To meet this challenge, we developed ONIX, an open-source data acquisition system with high data throughput (2GB/sec) and low closed-loop latencies (<1ms) that uses a novel 0.3 mm thin tether to minimize behavioral impact. Head position and rotation are tracked in 3D and used to drive active commutation without torque measurements. ONIX can acquire from combinations of passive electrodes, Neuropixels probes, head-mounted microscopes, cameras, 3D-trackers, and other data sources. We used ONIX to perform uninterrupted, long (~7 hours) neural recordings in mice as they traversed complex 3-dimensional terrain. ONIX allowed exploration with similar mobility as non-implanted animals, in contrast to conventional tethered systems which restricted movement. By combining long recordings with full mobility, our technology will enable new progress on questions that require high-quality neural recordings during ethologically grounded behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Newman
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Open Ephys Inc. Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aarón Cuevas-López
- Open Ephys Inc. Atlanta, GA, USA
- Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Open Ephys Production Site, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nicholas J Miller
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Takato Honda
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marie-Sophie H van der Goes
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anna Lakunina
- Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joshua H Siegle
- Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mark T Harnett
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew A Wilson
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakob Voigts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Open Ephys Inc. Atlanta, GA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA
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12
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Potegal M, Nordman JC. Non-angry aggressive arousal and angriffsberietschaft: A narrative review of the phenomenology and physiology of proactive/offensive aggression motivation and escalation in people and other animals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105110. [PMID: 36822384 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Human aggression typologies largely correspond with those for other animals. While there may be no non-human equivalent of angry reactive aggression, we propose that human proactive aggression is similar to offense in other animals' dominance contests for territory or social status. Like predation/hunting, but unlike defense, offense and proactive aggression are positively reinforcing, involving dopamine release in accumbens. The drive these motivational states provide must suffice to overcome fear associated with initiating risky fights. We term the neural activity motivating proactive aggression "non-angry aggressive arousal", but use "angriffsberietschaft" for offense motivation in other animals to acknowledge possible differences. Temporal variation in angriffsberietschaft partitions fights into bouts; engendering reduced anti-predator vigilance, redirected aggression and motivational over-ride. Increased aggressive arousal drives threat-to-attack transitions, as in verbal-to-physical escalation and beyond that, into hyper-aggression. Proactive aggression and offense involve related neural activity states. Cingulate, insular and prefrontal cortices energize/modulate aggression through a subcortical core containing subnuclei for each aggression type. These proposals will deepen understanding of aggression across taxa, guiding prevention/intervention for human violence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob C Nordman
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA.
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13
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Diethorn EJ, Gould E. Postnatal development of hippocampal CA2 structure and function during the emergence of social recognition of peers. Hippocampus 2023; 33:208-222. [PMID: 36309963 PMCID: PMC10028396 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is now well-established that the hippocampal CA2 region plays an important role in social recognition memory in adult mice. The CA2 is also important for the earliest social memories, including those that mice have for their mothers and littermates, which manifest themselves as a social preference for familiarity over novelty. The role of the CA2 in the development of social memory for recently encountered same-age conspecifics, that is, peers, has not been previously reported. Here, we used a direct social interaction test to characterize the emergence of novelty preference for peers during development and found that at the end of the second postnatal week, pups begin to significantly prefer novel over familiar peers. Using chemogenetic inhibition at this time, we showed that CA2 activity is necessary for the emergence of novelty preference and for the ability to distinguish never encountered from recently encountered peers. In adulthood, the CA2 region is known to integrate a large number of inputs from various sources, many of which participate in social recognition memory, but previous studies have not determined whether these afferents are present at adult levels by the end of the second postnatal week. To explore the development of CA2 inputs, we used immunolabeling and retrograde adenovirus circuit tracing and found that, by the end of the second postnatal week, the CA2 is innervated by many regions, including the dentate gyrus, supramammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus, the lateral entorhinal cortex, and the median raphe nucleus. Using retroviral labeling of postnatally generated granule cells in the dentate gyrus, we found that mossy fiber projections to the CA2 mature faster during development than those generated in adulthood. Together, our findings indicate that the CA2 is partially mature in afferent connectivity by the end of the second postnatal week, connections that likely facilitate the emergence of social recognition memory and preference for novel peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Diethorn
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gould
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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14
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Neuronal ensemble dynamics in social memory. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 78:102654. [PMID: 36509026 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence suggests that cognitive functions rely on the coordination of ensembles of neurons across brain circuits. One example is social memory, the ability to recognize and remember other conspecifics. A broad range of brain regions have been implicated in social behaviors and memory processes. At the single-cell level, neurons from different brain areas have responded to specific social features. The coordination of these ensembles both within a region and across structures is required to support social memory and decision-making. The synchronous activation of these neuronal ensembles could allow for the integration of different aspects of a social episode into a unified representation of experience. In this review, recent results on the circuit basis and physiological mechanisms of social memory are discussed, from a systems neuroscience perspective. An integrative framework of the neuronal ensemble dynamics supporting this fundamental cognitive ability is proposed.
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15
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Sailer LL, Park AH, Galvez A, Ophir AG. Lateral septum DREADD activation alters male prairie vole prosocial and antisocial behaviors, not partner preferences. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1299. [PMID: 36435943 PMCID: PMC9701193 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04274-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although much has been written on the topic of social behavior, many terms referring to different aspects of social behavior have become inappropriately conflated and the specific mechanisms governing them remains unclear. It is therefore critical that we disentangle the prosocial and antisocial elements associated with different forms of social behavior to fully understand the social brain. The lateral septum (LS) mediates social behaviors, emotional processes, and stress responses necessary for individuals to navigate day-to-day social interactions. The LS is particularly important in general and selective prosocial behavior (monogamy) but its role in how these two behavioral domains intersect is unclear. Here, we investigate the effects of chemogenetic-mediated LS activation on social responses in male prairie voles when they are 1) sex-naïve and generally affiliative and 2) after they become pair-bonded and display selective aggression. Amplifying neural activity in the LS augments same-sex social approach behaviors. Despite partner preference formation remaining unaltered, LS activation in pair-bonded males leads to reduced selective aggression while increasing social affiliative behaviors. These results suggest that LS activation alters behavior within certain social contexts, by increasing sex-naïve affiliative behaviors and reducing pair bonding-induced selective aggression with same-sex conspecifics, but not altering bonding with opposite-sex individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay L. Sailer
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Ashley H. Park
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Abigail Galvez
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Alexander G. Ophir
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
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16
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Li H, Sung HH, Lau CG. Activation of Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons in the Lateral Septum Improves Stress-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors in Mice. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102253. [PMID: 36297687 PMCID: PMC9607457 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a debilitating mood disorder with highly heterogeneous pathogenesis. The limbic system is well-linked to depression. As an important node in the limbic system, the lateral septum (LS) can modulate multiple affective and motivational behaviors. However, the role of LS in depression remains unclear. By using c-Fos expression mapping, we first screened and showed activation of the LS in various depression-related behavioral tests, including the forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test. In the LS, more than 10% of the activated neurons were somatostatin-expressing (SST) neurons. We next developed a microendoscopic calcium imaging method in freely moving mice and revealed that LSSST neural activity increased during mobility in the TST but not open field test. We hypothesize that LSSST neuronal activity is linked to stress and depression. In two mouse models of depression, repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and chronic restraint stress (CRS), we showed that LS neuronal activation was suppressed. To examine whether the re-activation of LSSST neurons can be therapeutically beneficial, we optogenetically activated LSSST neurons and produced antidepressant-like effects in LPS-injected mice by increasing TST motility. Moreover, chemogenetic activation of LSSST neurons increased FST struggling in the CRS-exposed mice. Together, these results provide the first evidence of a role for LSSST neurons in regulating depressive-like behaviors in mice and identify them as a potential therapeutic target for neuromodulation-based intervention in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Li
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Hyun Hailey Sung
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Chunyue Geoffrey Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3442-4345
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17
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Lenschow C, Mendes ARP, Lima SQ. Hearing, touching, and multisensory integration during mate choice. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:943888. [PMID: 36247731 PMCID: PMC9559228 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.943888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is a potent generator of diversity and a fundamental pillar for sexual selection and evolution. Mate choice is a multistage affair, where complex sensory information and elaborate actions are used to identify, scrutinize, and evaluate potential mating partners. While widely accepted that communication during mate assessment relies on multimodal cues, most studies investigating the mechanisms controlling this fundamental behavior have restricted their focus to the dominant sensory modality used by the species under examination, such as vision in humans and smell in rodents. However, despite their undeniable importance for the initial recognition, attraction, and approach towards a potential mate, other modalities gain relevance as the interaction progresses, amongst which are touch and audition. In this review, we will: (1) focus on recent findings of how touch and audition can contribute to the evaluation and choice of mating partners, and (2) outline our current knowledge regarding the neuronal circuits processing touch and audition (amongst others) in the context of mate choice and ask (3) how these neural circuits are connected to areas that have been studied in the light of multisensory integration.
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18
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Ferrara NC, Trask S, Ritger A, Padival M, Rosenkranz JA. Developmental differences in amygdala projection neuron activation associated with isolation-driven changes in social preference. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:956102. [PMID: 36090658 PMCID: PMC9449454 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.956102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by brain maturation and changes in social engagement. Changes in the social environment influence social behaviors. Memories of social events, including remembering familiar individuals, require social engagement during encoding. Therefore, existing differences in adult and adolescent social repertoires and environmentally-driven changes in social behavior may impact novel partner preference, associated with social recognition. Several amygdala subregions are sensitive to the social environment and can influence social behavior, which is crucial for novelty preference. Amygdala neurons project to the septum and nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are linked to social engagement. Here, we investigated how the social environment impacts age-specific social behaviors during social encoding and its subsequent impact on partner preference. We then examined changes in amygdala-septal and -NAc circuits that accompany these changes. Brief isolation can drive social behavior in both adults and adolescents and was used to increase social engagement during encoding. We found that brief isolation facilitates social interaction in adolescents and adults, and analysis across time revealed that partner discrimination was intact in all groups, but there was a shift in preference within isolated and non-isolated groups. We found that this same isolation preferentially increases basal amygdala (BA) activity relative to other amygdala subregions in adults, but activity among amygdala subregions was similar in adolescents, even when considering conditions (no isolation, isolation). Further, we identify isolation-driven increases in BA-NAc and BA-septal circuits in both adults and adolescents. Together, these results provide evidence for changes in neuronal populations within amygdala subregions and their projections that are sensitive to the social environment that may influence the pattern of social interaction within briefly isolated groups during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. Ferrara
- Department of Foundational Sciences and Humanities, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sydney Trask
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Alexandra Ritger
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mallika Padival
- Department of Foundational Sciences and Humanities, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - J. Amiel Rosenkranz
- Department of Foundational Sciences and Humanities, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: J. Amiel Rosenkranz,
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19
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Breton JM, Eisner JS, Gandhi VS, Musick N, Zhang A, Long KL, Perloff OS, Hu KY, Pham CM, Lalchandani P, Barraza MK, Kantor B, Kaufer D, Ben-Ami Bartal I. Neural activation associated with outgroup helping in adolescent rats. iScience 2022; 25:104412. [PMID: 35663035 PMCID: PMC9160754 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prosocial behavior, helping others in need in particular, occurs preferentially in response to the perceived distress of one's own group members or ingroup. To investigate the development of ingroup bias, neural activity during a helping test was analyzed in adolescent and adult rats. Although adults selectively released trapped ingroup members, adolescent rats helped both ingroup and outgroup members, suggesting that ingroup bias emerges in adulthood. Analysis of brain-wide neural activity, indexed by expression of the early-immediate gene c-Fos, revealed increased activity for ingroup members across a broad set of regions previously associated with empathy. Adolescents showed reduced hippocampal and insular activity and increased orbitofrontal cortex activity compared to adults. Non-helper adolescents demonstrated increased amygdala connectivity. These findings demonstrate that biases for group-dependent prosocial behavior develop with age in rats and suggest that specific brain regions contribute to prosocial selectivity, pointing to possible targets for the functional modulation of ingroup bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn M. Breton
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jordan S. Eisner
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Vaidehi S. Gandhi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Natalie Musick
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Aileen Zhang
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kimberly L.P. Long
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Olga S. Perloff
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kelsey Y. Hu
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Chau M. Pham
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Pooja Lalchandani
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Matthew K. Barraza
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ben Kantor
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, 6997801
| | - Daniela Kaufer
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G1M1, Canada
| | - Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, 6997801
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20
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Perdikaris P, Dermon CR. Behavioral and neurochemical profile of MK-801 adult zebrafish model: Forebrain β 2-adrenoceptors contribute to social withdrawal and anxiety-like behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 115:110494. [PMID: 34896197 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in social communication and interaction are core clinical symptoms characterizing multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Interestingly, elevated anxiety levels are a common comorbid psychopathology characterizing individuals with aberrant social behavior. Despite recent progress, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that link anxiety with social withdrawal remain poorly understood. The present study developed a zebrafish pharmacological model displaying social withdrawal behavior, following a 3-h exposure to 4 μΜ (+)-MK-801, a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, for 7 days. Interestingly, MK-801-treated zebrafish displayed elevated anxiety levels along with higher frequency of stereotypical behaviors, rendering this zebrafish model appropriate to unravel a possible link of catecholaminergic and ASD-like phenotypes. MK-801-treated zebrafish showed increased telencephalic protein expression of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5), dopamine transporter (DAT) and β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs), supporting the presence of excitation/inhibition imbalance along with altered dopaminergic and noradrenergic activity. Interestingly, β2-ARs expression, was differentially regulated across the Social Decision-Making (SDM) network nodes, exhibiting increased levels in ventral telencephalic area (Vv), a key-area integrating reward and social circuits but decreased expression in dorso-medial telencephalic area (Dm) and anterior tuberal nucleus (ATN). Moreover, the co-localization of β2-ARs with elements of GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, as well as with GAP-43, a protein indicating increased brain plasticity potential, support the key-role of β2-ARs in the MK-801 zebrafish social dysfunctions. Our results highlight the importance of the catecholaminergic neurotransmission in the manifestation of ASD-like behavior, representing a site of potential interventions for amelioration of ASD-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Perdikaris
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Catherine R Dermon
- Human and Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26500 Patras, Greece.
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21
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Adiletta A, Pross A, Taricco N, Sgadò P. Embryonic Valproate Exposure Alters Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons Distribution and Septal Dopaminergic Gene Expression in Domestic Chicks. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:804881. [PMID: 35369647 PMCID: PMC8966611 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.804881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the role of the dopaminergic system in the regulation of social behavior is being progressively outlined, and dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system are increasingly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To study the role of the dopaminergic (DA) system in an animal model of ASD, we investigated the effects of embryonic exposure to valproic acid (VPA) on the postnatal development of the mesencephalic DA system in the domestic chick. We found that VPA affected the rostro-caudal distribution of DA neurons, without changing the expression levels of several dopaminergic markers in the mesencephalon. We also investigated a potential consequence of this altered DA neuronal distribution in the septum, a social brain area previously associated to social behavior in several vertebrate species, describing alterations in the expression of genes linked to DA neurotransmission. These findings support the emerging hypothesis of a role of DA dysfunction in ASD pathogenesis. Together with previous studies showing impairments of early social orienting behavior, these data also support the use of the domestic chick model to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms potentially involved in early ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Adiletta
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pross
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- Lleida’s Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarre Foundation (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Nicolò Taricco
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Paola Sgadò
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Sgadò,
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22
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Chun EK, Donovan M, Liu Y, Wang Z. Behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroimmune changes associated with social buffering and stress contagion. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 16:100427. [PMID: 35036478 PMCID: PMC8749234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Social buffering can provide protective effects on stress responses and their subsequent negative health outcomes. Although social buffering is beneficial for the recipient, it can also have anxiogenic effects on the provider of the social buffering - a phenomena referred to as stress contagion. Social buffering and stress contagion usually occur together, but they have traditionally been studied independently, thus limiting our understanding of this dyadic social interaction. In the present study, we examined the effects of preventative social buffering and stress contagion in socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). We tested the hypothesis that this dynamic social interaction is associated with coordinated alterations in behaviors, neurochemical activation, and neuroimmune responses. To do so, adult male prairie voles were stressed via an acute immobilization restraint tube (IMO) either alone (Alone) or with their previously pair-bonded female partner (Partner) in the cage for 1 h. In contrast, females were placed in a cage containing either an empty IMO tube (Empty) or one that contained their pair-bonded male (Partner). Anxiety-like behavior was tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM) following the 60-mins test and brain sections were processed for neurochemical/neuroimmune marker labeling for all subjects. Our data indicate that females in the Partner group were in contact with and sniffed the IMO tube more, showed fewer anxiety-like behaviors, and had a higher level of oxytocin expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) compared to the Empty group females. Males in the Partner group had lower levels of anxiety-like behavior during the EPM test, greater activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone expressing neurons in the PVN, lower activation of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe, and lower levels of microgliosis in the nucleus accumbens. Taken together, these data suggest brain region- and neurochemical-specific alterations as well as neuroinflammatory changes that may be involved in the regulation of social buffering and stress contagion behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen K. Chun
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Meghan Donovan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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23
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Besnard A, Leroy F. Top-down regulation of motivated behaviors via lateral septum sub-circuits. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3119-3128. [PMID: 35581296 PMCID: PMC7613864 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01599-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
How does cognition regulate innate behaviors? While the cognitive functions of the cortex have been extensively studied, we know much less about how cognition can regulate innate motivated behaviors to fulfill physiological, safety and social needs. Selection of appropriate motivated behaviors depends on external stimuli and past experiences that helps to scale priorities. With its abundant inputs from neocortical and allocortical regions, the lateral septum (LS) is ideally positioned to integrate perception and experience signals in order to regulate the activity of hypothalamic and midbrain nuclei that control motivated behaviors. In addition, LS receives numerous subcortical modulatory inputs, which represent the animal internal states and also participate in this regulation. In this perspective, we argue that LS sub-circuits regulate distinct motivated behaviors by integrating neural activity from neocortical, allocortical and neuromodulatory inputs. In addition, we propose that lateral inhibition between LS sub-circuits may allow the emergence of functional units that orchestrates competing motivated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Leroy
- Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
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24
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Relationship between infantile mother preference and neural regions activated by maternal contact in C57BL/6 mice. Neurosci Res 2022; 178:69-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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25
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Transcriptome and chromatin alterations in social fear indicate association of MEG3 with successful extinction of fear. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4064-4076. [PMID: 35338311 PMCID: PMC9718683 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01481-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent fear and avoidance of social situations, but available treatment options are rather unspecific. Using an established mouse social fear conditioning (SFC) paradigm, we profiled gene expression and chromatin alterations after the acquisition and extinction of social fear within the septum, a brain region important for social fear and social behaviors. Here, we particularly focused on the successful versus unsuccessful outcome of social fear extinction training, which corresponds to treatment responsive versus resistant patients in the clinics. Validation of coding and non-coding RNAs revealed specific isoforms of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Meg3 regulated, depending on the success of social fear extinction. Moreover, PI3K/AKT was differentially activated with extinction success in SFC-mice. In vivo knockdown of specific Meg3 isoforms increased baseline activity of PI3K/AKT signaling, and mildly delayed social fear extinction. Using ATAC-Seq and CUT&RUN, we found alterations in the chromatin structure of specific genes, which might be direct targets of lncRNA Meg3.
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26
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Menon R, Süß T, Oliveira VEDM, Neumann ID, Bludau A. Neurobiology of the lateral septum: regulation of social behavior. Trends Neurosci 2021; 45:27-40. [PMID: 34810019 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions are essential for mammalian life and are regulated by evolutionary conserved neuronal mechanisms. An individual's internal state, experiences, and the nature of the social stimulus are critical for determining apt responses to social situations. The lateral septum (LS) - a structure of the basal forebrain - integrates abundant cortical and subcortical inputs, and projects to multiple downstream regions to generate appropriate behavioral responses. Although incoming cognitive information is indispensable for contextualizing a social stimulus, neuromodulatory information related to the internal state of the organism significantly influences the behavioral outcome as well. This review article provides an overview of the neuroanatomical properties of the LS, and examines its neurochemical (neuropeptidergic and hormonal) signaling, which provide the neuromodulatory information essential for fine-tuning social behavior across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Menon
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Theresa Süß
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vinícius Elias de Moura Oliveira
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anna Bludau
- Department of Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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27
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Putting Together Pieces of the Lateral Septum: Multifaceted Functions and Its Neural Pathways. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0315-21.2021. [PMID: 34764187 PMCID: PMC8647703 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0315-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The lateral septum (LS) is implicated as a hub that regulates a variety of affects, such as reward, feeding, anxiety, fear, sociability, and memory. However, it remains unclear how the LS, previously treated as a structure of homogeneity, exhibits such multifaceted functions. Emerging evidence suggests that different functions of the LS are mediated largely by its diverse input and output connections. It has also become clear that the LS is a heterogeneous region, where its dorsal and ventral poles play dissociable and often opposing roles. This functional heterogeneity can often be explained by distinct dorsal and ventral hippocampal inputs along the LS dorsoventral axis, as well as antagonizing connections between LS subregions. Similarly, outputs from LS subregions to respective downstream targets, such as hypothalamic, preoptic, and tegmental areas, also account for this functional heterogeneity. In this review, we provide an updated perspective on LS subregion classification, connectivity, and functions. We also identify key questions that have yet to be addressed in the field.
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28
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Senft RA, Dymecki SM. Neuronal pericellular baskets: neurotransmitter convergence and regulation of network excitability. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:915-924. [PMID: 34565612 PMCID: PMC8551026 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A pericellular basket is a presynaptic configuration of numerous axonal boutons outlining a target neuron soma and its proximal dendrites. Recent studies show neurochemical diversity of pericellular baskets and suggest that neurotransmitter usage together with the dense, soma-proximal boutons may permit strong input effects on different timescales. Here we review the development, distribution, neurochemical phenotypes, and possible functions of pericellular baskets. As an example, we highlight pericellular baskets formed by projections of certain Pet1/Fev neurons of the serotonergic raphe nuclei. We propose that pericellular baskets represent convergence sites of competition or facilitation between neurotransmitter systems on downstream circuitry, especially in limbic brain regions, where pericellular baskets are widespread. Study of these baskets may enhance our understanding of monoamine regulation of memory, social behavior, and brain oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Senft
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Susan M Dymecki
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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van der Veldt S, Etter G, Mosser CA, Manseau F, Williams S. Conjunctive spatial and self-motion codes are topographically organized in the GABAergic cells of the lateral septum. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001383. [PMID: 34460812 PMCID: PMC8432898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampal spatial code’s relevance for downstream neuronal populations—particularly its major subcortical output the lateral septum (LS)—is still poorly understood. Here, using calcium imaging combined with unbiased analytical methods, we functionally characterized and compared the spatial tuning of LS GABAergic cells to those of dorsal CA3 and CA1 cells. We identified a significant number of LS cells that are modulated by place, speed, acceleration, and direction, as well as conjunctions of these properties, directly comparable to hippocampal CA1 and CA3 spatially modulated cells. Interestingly, Bayesian decoding of position based on LS spatial cells reflected the animal’s location as accurately as decoding using the activity of hippocampal pyramidal cells. A portion of LS cells showed stable spatial codes over the course of multiple days, potentially reflecting long-term episodic memory. The distributions of cells exhibiting these properties formed gradients along the anterior–posterior and dorsal–ventral axes of the LS, directly reflecting the topographical organization of hippocampal inputs to the LS. Finally, we show using transsynaptic tracing that LS neurons receiving CA3 and CA1 excitatory input send projections to the hypothalamus and medial septum, regions that are not targeted directly by principal cells of the dorsal hippocampus. Together, our findings demonstrate that the LS accurately and robustly represents spatial, directional as well as self-motion information and is uniquely positioned to relay this information from the hippocampus to its downstream regions, thus occupying a key position within a distributed spatial memory network. Calcium imaging of neurons in freely behaving mice reveals how the lateral septum, the main output of the hippocampal place cells, effectively represents information about not only location, but also head direction and self-movement, and may be pivotal in sending this information to downstream brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillaume Etter
- McGill University & Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Coralie-Anne Mosser
- McGill University & Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frédéric Manseau
- McGill University & Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvain Williams
- McGill University & Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
- * E-mail:
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30
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Zheng DJ, Singh A, Phelps SM. Conservation and dimorphism in androgen receptor distribution in Alston's singing mouse (Scotinomys teguina). J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2539-2557. [PMID: 33576501 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Because of their roles in courtship and intrasexual competition, sexual displays are often sexually dimorphic, but we know little about the mechanisms that produce such dimorphism. Among mammals, one example is the vocalization of Alston's singing mouse (Scotinomys teguina), which consists of a series of rapidly repeated, frequency-modulated notes. The rate and duration of songs is sexually dimorphic and androgen responsive. To understand the neuronal mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism, we map the sites of androgen sensitivity throughout the brain, focusing analysis along a pathway that spans from limbic structures to vocal motor regions. We find widespread expression of AR immunoreactivity (AR-ir) throughout limbic structures important for social behavior and vocalization, including the lateral septum, extended amygdala, preoptic area and hypothalamus. We also find extensive AR staining along previously documented vocal motor pathways, including the periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, and nucleus ambiguus, the last of which innervates intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Lastly, AR-ir is also evident in sensory areas such as the medial geniculate, inferior, and superior colliculi. A quantitative analysis revealed that males exhibited more AR-ir than females, a pattern that was most pronounced in the hypothalamus. Despite the elaboration of vocalization in singing mice, comparison with prior literature suggests that the broad pattern of AR-ir may be conserved across a wide range of rodents. Together these data identify brain nuclei well positioned to shape the sexually dimorphic vocalization of S. teguina and suggest that such androgen modulation of vocalization is evolutionary conserved among rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Jiang Zheng
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Aditi Singh
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Steven M Phelps
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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31
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Clemens AM, Brecht M. Neural representations of kinship. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:116-123. [PMID: 33845346 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the fundamental relevance of kinship behavior for evolutionary and behavioral biology has long been recognized, the examination of kinship behavior from a neuroscience perspective is still in its infancy. Kinship is highly conserved from single-celled organisms to humans, where kin preferences are prevalent in behavior and vocal communication. Kin recognition mechanisms are varied, with evidence for both genetic and both prenatal as well as postnatal learning-based kin recognition. Learned kinship mechanisms are predominant in vertebrates and allow for flexibility regarding the concept of kin. We review new evidence for the lateral septum and its role in kinship behavior. We further discuss the discovery of nepotopy, a topographical representation of kin- and nonkin-responsive neurons in the lateral septum. Neural representations of self/other, familiar/unfamiliar, and nepotopy (kin/nonkin) may support a circuit-level framework for a social template through which the mammalian brain learns, categorizes, and selects behavior based on perceived identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Clemens
- The University of Edinburgh, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Brecht
- Humboldt University of Berlin, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, United Kingdom
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32
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Noguchi A, Ikegaya Y, Matsumoto N. In Vivo Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Methods: Recent Technical Progress and Future Perspectives. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:1448. [PMID: 33669656 PMCID: PMC7922023 DOI: 10.3390/s21041448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Brain functions are fundamental for the survival of organisms, and they are supported by neural circuits consisting of a variety of neurons. To investigate the function of neurons at the single-cell level, researchers often use whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. These techniques enable us to record membrane potentials (including action potentials) of individual neurons of not only anesthetized but also actively behaving animals. This whole-cell recording method enables us to reveal how neuronal activities support brain function at the single-cell level. In this review, we introduce previous studies using in vivo patch-clamp recording techniques and recent findings primarily regarding neuronal activities in the hippocampus for behavioral function. We further discuss how we can bridge the gap between electrophysiology and biochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Noguchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (A.N.); (Y.I.)
| | - Yuji Ikegaya
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (A.N.); (Y.I.)
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Matsumoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; (A.N.); (Y.I.)
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33
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Dennis EJ, El Hady A, Michaiel A, Clemens A, Tervo DRG, Voigts J, Datta SR. Systems Neuroscience of Natural Behaviors in Rodents. J Neurosci 2021; 41:911-919. [PMID: 33443081 PMCID: PMC7880287 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1877-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals evolved in complex environments, producing a wide range of behaviors, including navigation, foraging, prey capture, and conspecific interactions, which vary over timescales ranging from milliseconds to days. Historically, these behaviors have been the focus of study for ecology and ethology, while systems neuroscience has largely focused on short timescale behaviors that can be repeated thousands of times and occur in highly artificial environments. Thanks to recent advances in machine learning, miniaturization, and computation, it is newly possible to study freely moving animals in more natural conditions while applying systems techniques: performing temporally specific perturbations, modeling behavioral strategies, and recording from large numbers of neurons while animals are freely moving. The authors of this review are a group of scientists with deep appreciation for the common aims of systems neuroscience, ecology, and ethology. We believe it is an extremely exciting time to be a neuroscientist, as we have an opportunity to grow as a field, to embrace interdisciplinary, open, collaborative research to provide new insights and allow researchers to link knowledge across disciplines, species, and scales. Here we discuss the origins of ethology, ecology, and systems neuroscience in the context of our own work and highlight how combining approaches across these fields has provided fresh insights into our research. We hope this review facilitates some of these interactions and alliances and helps us all do even better science, together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Jane Dennis
- Princeton University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540
| | - Ahmed El Hady
- Princeton University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540
| | | | - Ann Clemens
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9JZ
| | | | - Jakob Voigts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusets, 02139
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34
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Oostland M, Brecht M. Kin-Avoidance in Cannibalistic Homicide. Front Psychol 2020; 11:2161. [PMID: 32982882 PMCID: PMC7488386 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannibalism in the animal kingdom is widespread and well characterized, whereas the occurrence of human cannibalism has been controversial. Evidence points to cannibalism in aboriginal societies, prehistory, and the closely related chimpanzees. We assembled a non-comprehensive list (121 offenders, ~631 victims) of cannibalistic homicides in modern societies (since 1900) through internet-searches, publications, and expert questioning. Cannibalistic homicides were exceedingly rare, and often sex-related. Cannibalistic offenders were mainly men and older than offenders of non-cannibalistic homicides, whereas victims were comparatively young. Cannibalistic offenders typically killed manually (stabbing, strangulating, and beating) rather than using a gun. Furthermore, they killed more strangers and fewer intimates than conventional offenders. Human cannibals, similar to cannibalism in other species, killed and ate conspecifics, occasionally vomited and only rarely (2.5% of victims) ate kin. Interestingly, cannibalistic offenders who killed their blood relatives had more severe mental problems than non-kin-cannibals. We conclude that cannibalistic homicides have a unique pattern of murder methods, offenders, and victims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Oostland
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael Brecht,
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