Neural mechanisms underlying strain preference behaviour and plasticity in mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Social preferences significantly influence social interactions and life quality in social animals.
• The neural underpinnings of social preferences, particularly those based on social identity, remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural mechanisms of strain preference in mice as a model for social identification-based preferences.
• To identify brain regions involved in regulating mouse strain preference and its plasticity.

Main Methods:

• Comparative behavioral analysis of C57 and KM mouse strains' social interaction preferences.
• Experimental manipulation of nurturing environment and social exposure to alter strain preference.
• Neuroimaging and pharmacological inhibition to identify and validate the role of the periaqueductal grey (PAG).

Main Results:

• Mouse strain preference is heterogeneous: C57 mice show in-group preference, while KM mice show out-group preference.
• Strain preference is plastic and can be modified by environmental and social factors.
• Periaqueductal grey (PAG) activity correlates with strain preference and its plasticity; PAG inhibition abolishes strain-specific preference in C57 mice.

Conclusions:

• The periaqueductal grey (PAG) is a critical neural substrate for regulating strain preference in mice.
• The PAG plays a key role in the plasticity of social preferences based on strain identity.
• This study provides novel insights into the neurobiology of social identification and preference.