Aggression and social behaviour in rhesus monkeys.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral biology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Rhesus monkeys display significant individual differences in behavioral responses to social conflict.
• A subset (5-10%) exhibits consistent impulsive/aggressive behavior and central serotonin metabolism deficits throughout life.
• These traits emerge early and are stable into adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interplay of genetics and early life experiences on biobehavioral responses in rhesus monkeys.
• To understand the mechanisms underlying stable individual differences in social conflict behavior and serotonin metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal observation of rhesus monkeys across their lifespan.
• Analysis of central serotonin metabolism.
• Examination of genetic factors, including serotonin transporter gene polymorphism.
• Assessment of early social attachment relationships.

Main Results:

• Behavioral traits and serotonin metabolism deficits are highly heritable but modifiable by early experiences.
• A specific serotonin transporter gene polymorphism interacts with early attachment security.
• Insecure early attachment combined with the polymorphism is linked to neurobehavioral deficits, aggression, and alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

• Early social attachment experiences can significantly alter genetically predisposed behavioral patterns.
• Gene-environment interactions, particularly with early attachment, play a crucial role in shaping lifelong biobehavioral responses.
• Early experiences may offer a non-genetic pathway for transmitting behavioral patterns across generations.