Abstract:
Social behavior, defined as any mode of communication between conspecifics is regulated by a widespread network comprising multiple brain structures. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) serves as a hub region interconnected with several brain regions involved in social behavior. Because the ACC coordinates various behaviors, it is important to focus on a subpopulation of neurons that are potentially involved in social behavior to clarify the precise role of the ACC in social behavior. In this study, we aimed to analyze the roles of a social stimulus-responsive subpopulation of neurons in the ACC in social behavior in mice. We demonstrated that a subpopulation of neurons in the ACC was activated by social stimuli and that silencing the social stimulus-responsive subpopulation of neurons in the ACC significantly impaired social interaction without affecting locomotor activity or anxiety-like behavior. Our current findings highlight the importance of the social stimulus-responsive subpopulation of neurons in the ACC for social behavior and the association between ACC dysfunction and impaired social behavior, which sheds light on therapeutic interventions for psychiatric conditions.
摘要:
社会行为,定义为特定物种之间的任何通信模式都受到包含多个大脑结构的广泛网络的调节。前扣带皮层(ACC)是与社交行为相关的几个大脑区域相互连接的枢纽区域。因为ACC协调各种行为,重要的是要关注可能参与社会行为的神经元亚群,以阐明ACC在社会行为中的确切作用。在这项研究中,我们旨在分析ACC中神经元的社交刺激响应亚群在小鼠社交行为中的作用。我们证明了ACC中的神经元亚群被社交刺激激活,并且使ACC中的神经元的社交刺激响应亚群沉默会显着损害社交互动,而不会影响运动活动或焦虑样行为。我们目前的发现强调了ACC中神经元的社会刺激响应亚群对社会行为的重要性,以及ACC功能障碍与受损社会行为之间的关联。这揭示了精神疾病的治疗干预措施。