A neuronal signature for monogamous reunion.

ABSTRACT: Pair-bond formation depends vitally on neuromodulatory signaling within the nucleus accumbens, but the neuronal dynamics underlying this behavior remain unclear. Using 1-photon in vivo Ca²⁺ imaging in monogamous prairie voles, we found that pair bonding does not elicit differences in overall nucleus accumbens Ca²⁺ activity. Instead, we identified distinct ensembles of neurons in this region that are recruited during approach to either a partner or a novel vole. The partner-approach neuronal ensemble increased in size following bond formation, and differences in the size of approach ensembles for partner and novel voles predict bond strength. In contrast, neurons comprising departure ensembles do not change over time and are not correlated with bond strength, indicatin

SUBMITTER: Scribner JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7245077 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature