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Published on: January 24, 2025
Early Predictors of Impaired Social Functioning in Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Valentina Sclafani1,2, Laura A Del Rosso2, Shannon K Seil2
1Winnicott Research Unit, University of Reading, RG6 6AL, Reading, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social cognition impairments but its basic disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. Progress has been impeded by the absence of animal models that manifest behavioral phenotypes relevant to ASD. Rhesus monkeys are an ideal model organism to address this barrier to progress. Like humans, rhesus monkeys are highly social, possess complex social cognition abilities, and exhibit pronounced individual differences in social functioning. Moreover, we have previously shown that Low-Social (LS) vs. High-Social (HS) adult male monkeys exhibit lower social motivation and poorer social skills. It is not known, however, when these social deficits first emerge. The goals of this study were to test whether juvenile LS and HS monkeys differed as infants in their ability to process social information, and whether infant social abilities predicted later social classification (i.e., LS vs. HS), in order to facilitate earlier identification of monkeys at risk for poor social outcomes. Social classification was determined for N = 25 LS and N = 25 HS male monkeys that were 1-4 years of age. As part of a colony-wide assessment, these monkeys had previously undergone, as infants, tests of face recognition memory and the ability to respond appropriately to conspecific social signals. Monkeys later identified as LS vs. HS showed impairments in recognizing familiar vs. novel faces and in the species-typical adaptive ability to gaze avert to scenes of conspecific aggression. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression using infant social ability measures perfectly predicted later social classification of all N = 50 monkeys. These findings suggest that an early capacity to process important social information may account for differences in rhesus monkeys' motivation and competence to establish and maintain social relationships later in life. Further development of this model will facilitate identification of novel biological targets for intervention to improve social outcomes in at-risk young monkeys.
Insights
Infant rhesus monkeys later classified as low-social (LS) showed deficits in social information processing, including face recognition and responding to aggression cues. Early social abilities accurately predicted later social behavior, aiding in identifying at-risk monkeys.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primatology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves social cognition deficits, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
- Animal models are crucial for studying ASD, yet few exhibit relevant behavioral phenotypes.
- Rhesus monkeys, with their complex social structures and individual differences, offer a promising model for ASD research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if infant rhesus monkeys later identified as low-social (LS) versus high-social (HS) exhibit differences in early social information processing.
- To determine if infant social abilities predict later social classification (LS vs. HS).
- To facilitate earlier identification of monkeys at risk for poor social outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Social classification of adult male rhesus monkeys (N=50) as LS or HS (1-4 years old).
- Analysis of infant social abilities, including face recognition memory and response to conspecific social signals (e.g., gaze aversion to aggression).
- Multivariate logistic regression to predict later social classification based on infant social abilities.
Main Results:
- Monkeys later classified as LS showed impairments in recognizing familiar versus novel faces.
- LS monkeys exhibited deficits in species-typical gaze aversion to conspecific aggression scenes.
- Infant social ability measures perfectly predicted the later social classification of all 50 monkeys.
Conclusions:
- Early capacity to process social information is critical for developing social motivation and competence in rhesus monkeys.
- This study establishes a predictive model for identifying rhesus monkeys at risk for social deficits.
- Findings support further development of this model for identifying biological targets for interventions to improve social outcomes in at-risk young monkeys.
