Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Publication Title
Front Mol Neurosci
Keywords
JMG
JAX Source
Front Mol Neurosci . 2020 Apr 23:13:61.
Volume
13
First Page
61
Last Page
61
ISSN
1662-5099
PMID
32390799
DOI
10.3389/fnmol.2020.00061
Grant
This research was supported by the intramural research program of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; ZIAMH002498).
Abstract
Social recognition is fundamental for social decision making and the establishment of long-lasting affiliative behaviors in behaviorally complex social groups. It is a critical step in establishing a selective preference for a social partner or group member. C57BL/6J lab mice do not form monogamous relationships, and typically do not show prolonged social preferences for familiar mice. The CA2 hippocampal subfield plays a crucial role in social memory and optogenetic stimulation of inputs to the dorsal CA2 field during a short memory acquisition period can enhance and extend social memories in mice. Here, we show that partner preference in mice can be induced by chemogenetic selective stimulation of the monosynaptic projections from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the CA2 during the cohabitation period. Specifically, male mice spend more time in social contact, grooming and huddling with the partner compared to a novel female. Preference was not induced by prolonging the cohabitation period and allowing more time for social interactions and males to sire pups with the familiar female. These results suggest that PVN-to-CA2 projections are part of an evolutionarily conserved neural circuitry underlying the formation of social preference and may promote behavioral changes with appropriate stimulation.
Recommended Citation
Cymerblit-Sabba A,
Smith A,
Williams Avram S,
Stackmann M,
Korgan A,
Tickerhoof M,
Young W.
Inducing Partner Preference in Mice by Chemogenetic Stimulation of CA2 Hippocampal Subfield. Front Mol Neurosci . 2020 Apr 23:13:61.
Comments
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