A hypothalamic circuit underlying the dynamic control of social homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: Social grouping increases survival in many species, including humans^1,2. By contrast, social isolation generates an aversive state ('loneliness') that motivates social seeking and heightens social interaction upon reunion^3-5. The observed rebound in social interaction triggered by isolation suggests a homeostatic process underlying the control of social need, similar to physiological drives such as hunger, thirst or sleep^3,6. In this study, we assessed social responses in several mouse strains, among which FVB/NJ mice emerged as highly, and C57BL/6J mice as moderately, sensitive to social isolation. Using both strains, we uncovered two previously uncharacterized neuronal populations in the hypothalamic preoptic nucleus that are activated during either socia

SUBMITTER: Liu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12018270 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature