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Identification of subpopulations of prairie voles differentially susceptible to peer influence to decrease high
Allison M J Anacker1, Andrey E Ryabinin
1Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR, USA.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|July 13, 2013
Summary
Peer influences significantly impact alcohol (ethanol) consumption. Some high-drinking voles decrease ethanol intake when housed with low drinkers, while others do not, suggesting distinct subpopulations for targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Peer influences are crucial for modulating alcohol (ethanol) abuse and maintaining abstinence.
- Previous research established an animal model demonstrating inhibitory peer influences on ethanol drinking in prairie voles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if peer influence on ethanol drinking is linked to specific drinking patterns.
- To examine the role of variation in the vasopressin receptor 1a gene (avpr1a) microsatellite sequence in peer influence susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Prairie voles' drinking patterns (fluid intake, bout structure) were monitored using a lickometer during isolation and pair housing (high and low drinkers).
- Analysis included fluid consumption, drinking bout counts, and lickometer data using visual and cross-correlation methods.
- The length of the avpr1a microsatellite sequence was analyzed in relation to drinking behaviors.
Main Results:
- High-drinking voles generally reduced ethanol intake when paired with low drinkers, but a subset did not.
- Differences in the number of ethanol drinking bouts were observed in high drinkers influenced by low drinkers.
- The avpr1a microsatellite length did not correlate with peer influence susceptibility or drinking behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Subpopulations of high ethanol-drinking voles exist, differentiated by their response to peer influence.
- These distinct subpopulations warrant further investigation for developing targeted therapies to reduce ethanol use.
