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The social brain: establishing neurobiological strategies to exploit the unique spectrum of social relationships displayed by Mole-rats

Reference	BB/D523186/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Clive Coen
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Christopher Faulkes, Professor Stephen Hunt, Dr T Kalamatianos
Institution	King's College London
Department	Centre for Reproduction, Endocrinology a
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	243,933
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/10/2005
End date	30/09/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

During the past decade our understanding of the neurobiology of social relationships with mates, offspring or kin has greatly benefited from inter-species comparisons. Pre-eminent in this field have been studies on two species of voles (genus Microtus), which are either monogamous, with biparental care, or promiscuous and solitary. Valuable insights into the neurobiology of social recognition and parental behaviour have also been obtained from research on mice, rats and sheep. In this context, the African mole-rates (family Bathyergidae) are of particular interest. Mole-rats are unique among mammals in the diversity and range of social strategies adopted by the member species. The ecological constraints acting upon these blind, subterranean animals have resulted in a spectrum of social organisation ranging from solitary to eusocial (with insect-like colonies). Mole-rats offer a unique model system with which to address the evolution and neurobiology of sociality. Although much has been established about the behaviour and endocrinology of the various mole-rat species. The neurobiological processes underlying their strikingly diverse social relationships are currently uncharted. Elucidating these processes will require the development of fundamental tools and strategies and proof of principle concerning the relevance of OT-, VP- and prolactin-associated systems to mole-rat social behaviour. This is the overarching objective of the present proposal. The hypotheses to be tested at this initial stage of the research fall into two categories: (1) Establishing whether the peptidergic and dopaminergic systems that are clearly implicated in pair-bonding in other species (especially voles) exhibit receptor expression patterns that differ across the spectrum of behaviours observed in mole-rats; (2) Investigating the neurobiological significance of the raised level of prolactin indicated by enlarged teats in fathers and in male and female non-reproductive helpers during the pre-weaning phase.

Summary

This project is designed to open up the black boxes in the brain that influence the way mammals form bonds with their mate, offspring or kin. Social bonds with other adults can provide benefits in terms of safety, access to food and opportunities to reproduce. Parental bonds can ensure the survival of offspring and provide the degree of stability during childhood, which seems to produce well-balanced adults. Making careful comparisons between species and identifying the critical differences in their physical environment is one of the most powerful ways of establishing principles about the evolutionary forces that determine the types of relationships that can be formed. During the past decade, enormous progress has been achieved in identifying circuitry in the brain that predisposes animals either to be monogamous, and raise their offspring by shared nurturing, or to be promiscuous, solitary and only transiently involved in care for the next generation. This progress has emerged from detailed comparisons of the distribution of certain neurotransmitters and their receptors in the brains of monogamous or promiscuous voles. Particular patterns in the distribution of receptors for two small peptides, oxytocin and vasopressin, (and various additional components in the circuitry) seem to lead to one or the other of these life styles. A detailed understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying natural ways of relating to other members of one¿s species may bring benefits that extend beyond the scientific arena. There is now considerable evidence that the forms of relationship that humans make, or experience during childhood, can have profound effects on long-term prospects e.g. they may lead to depression or even autism (the inability to relate to others in ways that indicated empathy, with the sort of give and take that diffuses social tension). The studies that are proposed in this application will use the remarkable discoveries in voles as a launching pad into detailedanalysis of the brains of animals that show an even greater range of interpersonal strategies. There are at least 18 species of African mole-rats; the 4 that we have selected for this study show patterns of social organisation that range from the essentially solitary to levels of co-operation that are unique among mammals and resemble the social life of certain insect colonies. The reproductive pairings found in these species range from promiscuous and fleeting to life-long and supportive. The parenting practices range from isolated mothering, with only short-term care, to complete co-operation across the colony. These clear-cut and wide-ranging variations across the species make mole-rats a unique and intriguing model for discovering what lies beneath the different types of relationships. In the long term, it seems likely that such investigations will provide insights into the conditions and experiences that can lead to dysfunctional relationships, and also suggest novel ways of tackling such problems and their origins.

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	Neuroscience and Behaviour
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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