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1.
Cell ; 186(12): 2556-2573.e22, 2023 06 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37236194

ABSTRACT

In Drosophila, a dedicated olfactory channel senses a male pheromone, cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), promoting female courtship while repelling males. Here, we show that separate cVA-processing streams extract qualitative and positional information. cVA sensory neurons respond to concentration differences in a 5-mm range around a male. Second-order projection neurons encode the angular position of a male by detecting inter-antennal differences in cVA concentration, which are amplified through contralateral inhibition. At the third circuit layer, we identify 47 cell types with diverse input-output connectivity. One population responds tonically to male flies, a second is tuned to olfactory looming, while a third integrates cVA and taste to coincidentally promote female mating. The separation of olfactory features resembles the mammalian what and where visual streams; together with multisensory integration, this enables behavioral responses appropriate to specific ethological contexts.


Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins , Receptors, Odorant , Animals , Female , Male , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Receptors, Odorant/metabolism , Pheromones/metabolism , Smell/physiology , Drosophila/metabolism , Mammals/metabolism
2.
Cell ; 186(20): 4289-4309.e23, 2023 09 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37683635

ABSTRACT

Here, we reveal an unanticipated role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in regulating complex social behavior in ants. Using scRNA-seq, we find localization in the BBB of a key hormone-degrading enzyme called juvenile hormone esterase (Jhe), and we show that this localization governs the level of juvenile hormone (JH3) entering the brain. Manipulation of the Jhe level reprograms the brain transcriptome between ant castes. Although ant Jhe is retained and functions intracellularly within the BBB, we show that Drosophila Jhe is naturally extracellular. Heterologous expression of ant Jhe into the Drosophila BBB alters behavior in fly to mimic what is seen in ants. Most strikingly, manipulation of Jhe levels in ants reprograms complex behavior between worker castes. Our study thus uncovers a remarkable, potentially conserved role of the BBB serving as a molecular gatekeeper for a neurohormonal pathway that regulates social behavior.


Subject(s)
Ants , Animals , Ants/physiology , Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain/metabolism , Drosophila , Social Behavior , Behavior, Animal
3.
Cell ; 186(6): 1195-1211.e19, 2023 03 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36796363

ABSTRACT

Social interactions require awareness and understanding of the behavior of others. Mirror neurons, cells representing an action by self and others, have been proposed to be integral to the cognitive substrates that enable such awareness and understanding. Mirror neurons of the primate neocortex represent skilled motor tasks, but it is unclear if they are critical for the actions they embody, enable social behaviors, or exist in non-cortical regions. We demonstrate that the activity of individual VMHvlPR neurons in the mouse hypothalamus represents aggression performed by self and others. We used a genetically encoded mirror-TRAP strategy to functionally interrogate these aggression-mirroring neurons. We find that their activity is essential for fighting and that forced activation of these cells triggers aggressive displays by mice, even toward their mirror image. Together, we have discovered a mirroring center in an evolutionarily ancient region that provides a subcortical cognitive substrate essential for a social behavior.


Subject(s)
Aggression , Hypothalamus , Mirror Neurons , Animals , Mice , Aggression/physiology , Hypothalamus/cytology , Social Behavior
4.
Cell ; 186(18): 3862-3881.e28, 2023 08 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37572660

ABSTRACT

Male sexual behavior is innate and rewarding. Despite its centrality to reproduction, a molecularly specified neural circuit governing innate male sexual behavior and reward remains to be characterized. We have discovered a developmentally wired neural circuit necessary and sufficient for male mating. This circuit connects chemosensory input to BNSTprTac1 neurons, which innervate POATacr1 neurons that project to centers regulating motor output and reward. Epistasis studies demonstrate that BNSTprTac1 neurons are upstream of POATacr1 neurons, and BNSTprTac1-released substance P following mate recognition potentiates activation of POATacr1 neurons through Tacr1 to initiate mating. Experimental activation of POATacr1 neurons triggers mating, even in sexually satiated males, and it is rewarding, eliciting dopamine release and self-stimulation of these cells. Together, we have uncovered a neural circuit that governs the key aspects of innate male sexual behavior: motor displays, drive, and reward.


Subject(s)
Neural Pathways , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Animals , Male , Neurons/physiology , Reward , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Mice
5.
Cell ; 185(5): 831-846.e14, 2022 03 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35176228

ABSTRACT

Fungal communities (the mycobiota) are an integral part of the gut microbiota, and the disruption of their integrity contributes to local and gut-distal pathologies. Yet, the mechanisms by which intestinal fungi promote homeostasis remain unclear. We characterized the mycobiota biogeography along the gastrointestinal tract and identified a subset of fungi associated with the intestinal mucosa of mice and humans. Mucosa-associated fungi (MAF) reinforced intestinal epithelial function and protected mice against intestinal injury and bacterial infection. Notably, intestinal colonization with a defined consortium of MAF promoted social behavior in mice. The gut-local effects on barrier function were dependent on IL-22 production by CD4+ T helper cells, whereas the effects on social behavior were mediated through IL-17R-dependent signaling in neurons. Thus, the spatial organization of the gut mycobiota is associated with host-protective immunity and epithelial barrier function and might be a driver of the neuroimmune modulation of mouse behavior through complementary Type 17 immune mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Mycobiome , Receptors, Interleukin-17/metabolism , Social Behavior , Animals , Fungi , Immunity, Mucosal , Intestinal Mucosa , Mice , Mucous Membrane
6.
Cell ; 184(23): 5807-5823.e14, 2021 11 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34739833

ABSTRACT

Behavioral plasticity is key to animal survival. Harpegnathos saltator ants can switch between worker and queen-like status (gamergate) depending on the outcome of social conflicts, providing an opportunity to study how distinct behavioral states are achieved in adult brains. Using social and molecular manipulations in live ants and ant neuronal cultures, we show that ecdysone and juvenile hormone drive molecular and functional differences in the brains of workers and gamergates and direct the transcriptional repressor Kr-h1 to different target genes. Depletion of Kr-h1 in the brain caused de-repression of "socially inappropriate" genes: gamergate genes were upregulated in workers, whereas worker genes were upregulated in gamergates. At the phenotypic level, loss of Kr-h1 resulted in the emergence of worker-specific behaviors in gamergates and gamergate-specific traits in workers. We conclude that Kr-h1 is a transcription factor that maintains distinct brain states established in response to socially regulated hormones.


Subject(s)
Ants/genetics , Ecdysterone/pharmacology , Hierarchy, Social , Insect Proteins/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology , Social Behavior , Transcriptome/genetics , Animals , Ants/drug effects , Ants/physiology , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Genome , Neurons/drug effects , Phenotype , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Transcriptome/drug effects
7.
Cell ; 184(7): 1740-1756.e16, 2021 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33705688

ABSTRACT

The core symptoms of many neurological disorders have traditionally been thought to be caused by genetic variants affecting brain development and function. However, the gut microbiome, another important source of variation, can also influence specific behaviors. Thus, it is critical to unravel the contributions of host genetic variation, the microbiome, and their interactions to complex behaviors. Unexpectedly, we discovered that different maladaptive behaviors are interdependently regulated by the microbiome and host genes in the Cntnap2-/- model for neurodevelopmental disorders. The hyperactivity phenotype of Cntnap2-/- mice is caused by host genetics, whereas the social-behavior phenotype is mediated by the gut microbiome. Interestingly, specific microbial intervention selectively rescued the social deficits in Cntnap2-/- mice through upregulation of metabolites in the tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis pathway. Our findings that behavioral abnormalities could have distinct origins (host genetic versus microbial) may change the way we think about neurological disorders and how to treat them.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Locomotion , Social Behavior , Animals , Bacteria/classification , Bacteria/genetics , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Biopterins/analogs & derivatives , Biopterins/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials , Fecal Microbiota Transplantation , Feces/microbiology , Limosilactobacillus reuteri/metabolism , Limosilactobacillus reuteri/physiology , Membrane Proteins/deficiency , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Nerve Tissue Proteins/deficiency , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/microbiology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/pathology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/therapy , Principal Component Analysis , Psychomotor Agitation/pathology , Synaptic Transmission
8.
Cell ; 179(3): 713-728.e17, 2019 10 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31626771

ABSTRACT

The ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) contains ∼4,000 neurons that project to multiple targets and control innate social behaviors including aggression and mounting. However, the number of cell types in VMHvl and their relationship to connectivity and behavioral function are unknown. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing using two independent platforms-SMART-seq (∼4,500 neurons) and 10x (∼78,000 neurons)-and investigated correspondence between transcriptomic identity and axonal projections or behavioral activation, respectively. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) identified 17 transcriptomic types (T-types), including several sexually dimorphic clusters, the majority of which were validated by seqFISH. Immediate early gene analysis identified T-types exhibiting preferential responses to intruder males versus females but only rare examples of behavior-specific activation. Unexpectedly, many VMHvl T-types comprise a mixed population of neurons with different projection target preferences. Overall our analysis revealed that, surprisingly, few VMHvl T-types exhibit a clear correspondence with behavior-specific activation and connectivity.


Subject(s)
Hypothalamus/cytology , Neurons/classification , Social Behavior , Animals , Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics , Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism , Female , Hypothalamus/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/physiology , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Single-Cell Analysis , Transcriptome
9.
Cell ; 176(5): 1206-1221.e18, 2019 02 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30773317

ABSTRACT

Social behaviors, including behaviors directed toward young offspring, exhibit striking sex differences. Understanding how these sexually dimorphic behaviors are regulated at the level of circuits and transcriptomes will provide insights into neural mechanisms of sex-specific behaviors. Here, we uncover a sexually dimorphic role of the medial amygdala (MeA) in governing parental and infanticidal behaviors. Contrary to traditional views, activation of GABAergic neurons in the MeA promotes parental behavior in females, while activation of this population in males differentially promotes parental versus infanticidal behavior in an activity-level-dependent manner. Through single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we found that molecular sex differences in the MeA are specifically represented in GABAergic neurons. Collectively, these results establish crucial roles for the MeA as a key node in the neural circuitry underlying pup-directed behaviors and provide important insight into the connection between sex differences across transcriptomes, cells, and circuits in regulating sexually dimorphic behavior.


Subject(s)
Corticomedial Nuclear Complex/physiology , Sex Characteristics , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Amygdala/physiology , Animals , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Corticomedial Nuclear Complex/metabolism , Female , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neurons/physiology , Parenting , Sex Factors , Social Behavior
10.
Cell ; 178(2): 429-446.e16, 2019 07 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31230711

ABSTRACT

Social interactions involve complex decision-making tasks that are shaped by dynamic, mutual feedback between participants. An open question is whether and how emergent properties may arise across brains of socially interacting individuals to influence social decisions. By simultaneously performing microendoscopic calcium imaging in pairs of socially interacting mice, we find that animals exhibit interbrain correlations of neural activity in the prefrontal cortex that are dependent on ongoing social interaction. Activity synchrony arises from two neuronal populations that separately encode one's own behaviors and those of the social partner. Strikingly, interbrain correlations predict future social interactions as well as dominance relationships in a competitive context. Together, our study provides conclusive evidence for interbrain synchrony in rodents, uncovers how synchronization arises from activity at the single-cell level, and presents a role for interbrain neural activity coupling as a property of multi-animal systems in coordinating and sustaining social interactions between individuals.


Subject(s)
Brain/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Animals , Calcium Signaling , Competitive Behavior/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism , Principal Component Analysis , Social Dominance
11.
Cell ; 178(2): 413-428.e22, 2019 07 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31230710

ABSTRACT

Social interactions occur between multiple individuals, but what is the detailed relationship between the neural dynamics across their brains? To address this question across timescales and levels of neural activity, we used wireless electrophysiology to simultaneously record from pairs of bats engaged in a wide range of natural social interactions. We found that neural activity was remarkably correlated between their brains over timescales from seconds to hours. The correlation depended on a shared social environment and was most prominent in high frequency local field potentials (>30 Hz), followed by local spiking activity. Furthermore, the degree of neural correlation covaried with the extent of social interactions, and an increase in correlation preceded their initiation. These results show that inter-brain correlation is an inherent feature of natural social interactions, reveal the domain of neural activity where it is most prominent, and provide a foundation for studying its functional role in social behaviors.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiology , Chiroptera/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Action Potentials , Animals , Female , Male , Social Behavior , Wireless Technology
12.
Cell ; 176(5): 1190-1205.e20, 2019 02 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30712868

ABSTRACT

Sexually naive animals have to distinguish between the sexes because they show species-typical interactions with males and females without meaningful prior experience. However, central neural pathways in naive mammals that recognize sex of other individuals remain poorly characterized. We examined the role of the principal component of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNSTpr), a limbic center, in social interactions in mice. We find that activity of aromatase-expressing BNSTpr (AB) neurons appears to encode sex of other animals and subsequent displays of mating in sexually naive males. Silencing these neurons in males eliminates preference for female pheromones and abrogates mating success, whereas activating them even transiently promotes male-male mating. Surprisingly, female AB neurons do not appear to control sex recognition, mating, or maternal aggression. In summary, AB neurons represent sex of other animals and govern ensuing social behaviors in sexually naive males.


Subject(s)
Limbic System/metabolism , Septal Nuclei/physiology , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Amygdala/physiology , Animals , Aromatase/metabolism , Brain/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neural Pathways/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Pheromones/metabolism , Sex Characteristics , Social Behavior
13.
Cell ; 175(7): 1827-1841.e17, 2018 12 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30550786

ABSTRACT

Newborn mice emit signals that promote parenting from mothers and fathers but trigger aggressive responses from virgin males. Although pup-directed attacks by males require vomeronasal function, the specific infant cues that elicit this behavior are unknown. We developed a behavioral paradigm based on reconstituted pup cues and showed that discrete infant morphological features combined with salivary chemosignals elicit robust male aggression. Seven vomeronasal receptors were identified based on infant-mediated activity, and the involvement of two receptors, Vmn2r65 and Vmn2r88, in infant-directed aggression was demonstrated by genetic deletion. Using the activation of these receptors as readouts for biochemical fractionation, we isolated two pheromonal compounds, the submandibular gland protein C and hemoglobins. Unexpectedly, none of the identified vomeronasal receptors and associated cues were specific to pups. Thus, infant-mediated aggression by virgin males relies on the recognition of pup's physical traits in addition to parental and infant chemical cues.


Subject(s)
Aggression , Vomeronasal Organ/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Gene Deletion , Male , Mice , Mice, Mutant Strains
14.
Cell ; 173(6): 1329-1342.e18, 2018 05 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29731170

ABSTRACT

Observational learning is a powerful survival tool allowing individuals to learn about threat-predictive stimuli without directly experiencing the pairing of the predictive cue and punishment. This ability has been linked to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). To investigate how information is encoded and transmitted through this circuit, we performed electrophysiological recordings in mice observing a demonstrator mouse undergo associative fear conditioning and found that BLA-projecting ACC (ACC→BLA) neurons preferentially encode socially derived aversive cue information. Inhibition of ACC→BLA alters real-time amygdala representation of the aversive cue during observational conditioning. Selective inhibition of the ACC→BLA projection impaired acquisition, but not expression, of observational fear conditioning. We show that information derived from observation about the aversive value of the cue is transmitted from the ACC to the BLA and that this routing of information is critically instructive for observational fear conditioning. VIDEO ABSTRACT.


Subject(s)
Basolateral Nuclear Complex/physiology , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Learning/physiology , Amygdala/physiology , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Conditioning, Classical , Electrophysiological Phenomena , Fear , Light , Male , Memory/physiology , Mice , Neural Pathways/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Optogenetics , Prefrontal Cortex/physiology
15.
Cell ; 171(7): 1663-1677.e16, 2017 Dec 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29224779

ABSTRACT

Social behaviors are crucial to all mammals. Although the prelimbic cortex (PL, part of medial prefrontal cortex) has been implicated in social behavior, it is not clear which neurons are relevant or how they contribute. We found that PL contains anatomically and molecularly distinct subpopulations that target three downstream regions that have been implicated in social behavior: the nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala, and ventral tegmental area. Activation of NAc-projecting PL neurons (PL-NAc), but not the other subpopulations, decreased the preference for a social target. To determine what information PL-NAc neurons convey, we selectively recorded from them and found that individual neurons were active during social investigation, but only in specific spatial locations. Spatially specific manipulation of these neurons bidirectionally regulated the formation of a social-spatial association. Thus, the unexpected combination of social and spatial information within the PL-NAc may contribute to social behavior by supporting social-spatial learning.


Subject(s)
Limbic System , Neurons/cytology , Nucleus Accumbens/cytology , Prefrontal Cortex/cytology , Social Behavior , Spatial Behavior , Amygdala/physiology , Animals , Learning , Mice , Neural Pathways , Neurons/physiology , Nucleus Accumbens/physiology , Prefrontal Cortex/physiology , Ventral Tegmental Area/physiology
16.
Cell ; 170(4): 748-759.e12, 2017 Aug 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28802044

ABSTRACT

Social insects are emerging models to study how gene regulation affects behavior because their colonies comprise individuals with the same genomes but greatly different behavioral repertoires. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that activate distinct behaviors in different castes, we exploit a natural behavioral plasticity in Harpegnathos saltator, where adult workers can transition to a reproductive, queen-like state called gamergate. Analysis of brain transcriptomes during the transition reveals that corazonin, a neuropeptide homologous to the vertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone, is downregulated as workers become gamergates. Corazonin is also preferentially expressed in workers and/or foragers from other social insect species. Injection of corazonin in transitioning Harpegnathos individuals suppresses expression of vitellogenin in the brain and stimulates worker-like hunting behaviors, while inhibiting gamergate behaviors, such as dueling and egg deposition. We propose that corazonin is a central regulator of caste identity and behavior in social insects.


Subject(s)
Ants/metabolism , Insect Proteins/metabolism , Neuropeptides/metabolism , Animals , Ants/genetics , Ants/growth & development , Behavior, Animal , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Male , Social Behavior
17.
Cell ; 171(5): 1176-1190.e17, 2017 Nov 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29107332

ABSTRACT

The medial amygdala (MeA) plays a critical role in processing species- and sex-specific signals that trigger social and defensive behaviors. However, the principles by which this deep brain structure encodes social information is poorly understood. We used a miniature microscope to image the Ca2+ dynamics of large neural ensembles in awake behaving mice and tracked the responses of MeA neurons over several months. These recordings revealed spatially intermingled subsets of MeA neurons with distinct temporal dynamics. The encoding of social information in the MeA differed between males and females and relied on information from both individual cells and neuronal populations. By performing long-term Ca2+ imaging across different social contexts, we found that sexual experience triggers lasting and sex-specific changes in MeA activity, which, in males, involve signaling by oxytocin. These findings reveal basic principles underlying the brain's representation of social information and its modulation by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.


Subject(s)
Amygdala/physiology , Neurons/cytology , Wakefulness , Amygdala/cytology , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Cues , Endoscopy/methods , Female , Male , Mice , Microscopy/methods , Oxytocin/physiology , Sex Characteristics , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Social Behavior
18.
Cell ; 170(4): 736-747.e9, 2017 Aug 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28802043

ABSTRACT

Ants exhibit cooperative behaviors and advanced forms of sociality that depend on pheromone-mediated communication. Odorant receptor neurons (ORNs) express specific odorant receptors (ORs) encoded by a dramatically expanded gene family in ants. In most eusocial insects, only the queen can transmit genetic information, restricting genetic studies. In contrast, workers in Harpegnathos saltator ants can be converted into gamergates (pseudoqueens) that can found entire colonies. This feature facilitated CRISPR-Cas9 generation of germline mutations in orco, the gene that encodes the obligate co-receptor of all ORs. orco mutations should significantly impact olfaction. We demonstrate striking functions of Orco in odorant perception, reproductive physiology, and social behavior plasticity. Surprisingly, unlike in other insects, loss of OR functionality also dramatically impairs development of the antennal lobe to which ORNs project. Therefore, the development of genetics in Harpegnathos establishes this ant species as a model organism to study the complexity of eusociality.


Subject(s)
Ants/growth & development , Ants/genetics , Insect Proteins/genetics , Receptors, Odorant/genetics , Social Behavior , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Ants/anatomy & histology , Ants/physiology , Arthropod Antennae/anatomy & histology , Arthropod Antennae/metabolism , Base Sequence , Behavior, Animal , Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats , Female , Gene Knockout Techniques , Insect Proteins/chemistry , Male , Mutation , Pheromones/metabolism , Receptors, Odorant/chemistry
19.
Annu Rev Neurosci ; 46: 321-339, 2023 07 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37001242

ABSTRACT

Rapid advances in the neural control of social behavior highlight the role of interconnected nodes engaged in differential information processing to generate behavior. Many innate social behaviors are essential to reproductive fitness and therefore fundamentally different in males and females. Programming these differences occurs early in development in mammals, following gonadal differentiation and copious androgen production by the fetal testis during a critical period. Early-life programming of social behavior and its adult manifestation are separate but yoked processes, yet how they are linked is unknown. This review seeks to highlight that gap by identifying four core mechanisms (epigenetics, cell death, circuit formation, and adult hormonal modulation) that could connect developmental changes to the adult behaviors of mating and aggression. We further propose that a unique social behavior, adolescent play, bridges the preweaning to the postpubertal brain by engaging the same neural networks underpinning adult reproductive and aggressive behaviors.


Subject(s)
Aggression , Social Behavior , Male , Animals , Female , Brain , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Cognition , Mammals
20.
Annu Rev Neurosci ; 44: 359-381, 2021 07 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33823654

ABSTRACT

Oxytocin regulates parturition, lactation, parental nurturing, and many other social behaviors in both sexes. The circuit mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates social behavior are receiving increasing attention. Here, we review recent studies on oxytocin modulation of neural circuit function and social behavior, largely enabled by new methods of monitoring and manipulating oxytocin or oxytocin receptor neurons in vivo. These studies indicate that oxytocin can enhance the salience of social stimuli and increase signal-to-noise ratios by modulating spiking and synaptic plasticity in the context of circuits and networks. We highlight oxytocin effects on social behavior in nontraditional organisms such as prairie voles and discuss opportunities to enhance the utility of these organisms for studying circuit-level modulation of social behaviors. We then discuss recent insights into oxytocin neuron activity during social interactions. We conclude by discussing some of the major questions and opportunities in the field ahead.


Subject(s)
Oxytocin , Social Behavior , Animals , Arvicolinae , Female , Male , Neuronal Plasticity , Receptors, Oxytocin
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