Social dominance in female monkeys: dopamine receptor function and cocaine reinforcement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain imaging and behavioral studies suggest an inverse relationship between dopamine (DA) D2/D3 receptors and vulnerability to cocaine abuse, although most research has used males. For example, male monkeys that become dominant in a social group have significant elevations in D2/D3 receptor availability and are less vulnerable to cocaine reinforcement.

Methods

DA D2/D3 receptor availability was assessed in female cynomolgus monkeys (n = 16) with positron emission tomography (PET) while they were individually housed, 3 months after stable social hierarchies had formed, and again when individually housed. In addition, PET was used to examine changes in dopamine transporter (DAT) availability after social hierarchy formation. After imaging studies were complete, mon

SUBMITTER: Nader MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3399959 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature