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The neural circuits of monogamous behavior
María Fernanda López-Gutiérrez1, Sara Mejía-Chávez1, Sarael Alcauter1
1Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|October 17, 2022
Summary
Neural circuits in monogamous mammals reveal that partner preference is driven by reward value, influencing pair bonds and diverse social behaviors. This research offers insights into human neurobiology.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Ethology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Social monogamy in mammals involves neural encoding of partner-specific information, enhancing reward value and reinforcing pair bonds.
- This leads to prosocial behaviors, territoriality, selective aggression, and biparental care, alongside social buffering and separation distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview and compare neural and functional circuits underlying mating and sexual behavior in monogamous mammals.
- To explore how these circuits are modulated by various factors, influencing behavioral diversity.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of existing research on neural circuits in monogamous mammals.
- Focus on Cricetid rodents (Microtus, Peromyscus) and New World primates (Callicebinae, Callithrix spp.).
Main Results:
- Social monogamy is characterized by a reinforced reward value of the sexual partner over novel individuals.
- Neural circuits support pair bonding, prosocial behaviors, and partner guarding, with variations across species.
Conclusions:
- Understanding these neural mechanisms in mammals can provide insights into human neurobiology and social behavior.
- Modulation of these circuits contributes to the wide spectrum of social behaviors observed in nature.
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