Neural Mechanisms of Pair Bonding

描述（由申请人提供）：我的研究计划侧重于一个 行为神经科学中的一个基本问题： 社会依恋在我们的社会依恋模型中， 草原田鼠，我们已经确定了一个大脑区域，腹侧苍白球，和一个 神经肽受体，加压素受体（V1 aR），似乎是 这对一夫一妻制配偶之间形成配偶关系至关重要。三 本提案中概述的具体目标将进一步阐明 在成对键形成过程中腹侧苍白球中的VIaR。首先，我们将研究 通过诱导c-Fos表达评估的神经元活化， 腹侧苍白球和其他候选大脑区域。接下来我们就 确定腹侧苍白球或其他候选者中VIaR的必要性 区域在对键形成使用药理学操作。最后我们 将确定其他神经递质和神经肽系统， 与V1 aR共定位在这些关键区域，其中哪些可能是 参与电子对键的形成。这些目标的结果将帮助我们 了解V1 aR如何介导成对键合， 产生新的和可行的假设，关于神经生物学的社会 附件.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): My research proposal focuses on a fundamental question in behavioral neuroscience: What is the neural basis of social attachment? In our model of social attachment using the monogamous prairie vole, we have identified a brain region, the ventral pallidum, and a neuropeptide receptor, the vasopressin receptor (V1aR), that appear to be critical for the formation of the pair bond between monogamous mates. The three specific aims outlined in this proposal will further elucidate the role of the VIaR in the ventral pallidum during pair bond formation. First, we will examine the neuronal activation, assessed by induction of c-Fos expression, in the ventral pallidum and other candidate brain regions during mating. Next, we will determine the necessity of VIaR in the ventral pallidum or other candidate regions in pair bond formation using pharmacological manipulation. Finally, we will identify the other neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems that colocalize with V1aR in these critical regions and which of these may be involved during pair bond formation. The results from these aims will help us understand how the V1aR may be acting to mediate pair bonding and ultimately generate novel and viable hypotheses regarding the neurobiology of social attachment.