Neural Mechanisms of Pair Bonding

描述(申请者提供)：我的研究计划集中在 行为神经科学中的基本问题：精神障碍的神经基础是什么 社交依恋？在我们的社会依恋模型中，使用一夫一妻制 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(V1aR)，似乎是 对形成一夫一妻制配偶之间的结对纽带至关重要。三位一体 这项提案中概述的具体目标将进一步阐明 在配对结合形成过程中，腹侧苍白球内的VIAR。首先，我们将研究 通过诱导c-Fos表达来评估神经元的激活 在交配过程中，腹侧苍白球和其他候选脑区。接下来，我们将 确定腹侧苍白球或其他候选的VIAR的必要性 使用药物操作形成成对键的区域。最后，我们 将确定其他神经递质和神经肽系统 在这些关键区域与V1aR共存，其中哪些可能是 参与了成对键的形成。这些目标的结果将帮助我们 了解V1aR可能如何起到调节配对绑定的作用，并最终 产生关于社会的神经生物学的新的和可行的假设 依恋。

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.