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Rearing in an envy-like environment increases anxiety-like behaviour in mice
Hiroshi Ueno1, Eriko Kitano2, Yu Takahashi2
1Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, 288, Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0193, Japan.
Translational Neuroscience
|March 3, 2025
Summary
Mice exposed to an envy-inducing environment showed increased anxiety and body weight, alongside reduced social behavior. This study reveals a neurobiological link between envy and anxiety, offering potential models for anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Psychology
Background:
- Societal and psychological harm from envy and social comparison are growing concerns.
- Envy is linked to anxiety and depression, but its neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Understanding envy's impact on behavior and emotion regulation is crucial for developing disease prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mice recognize neighboring cages and experience psychological stress due to envy.
- To clarify the neurobiological basis of envy's effects on behavior and emotion regulation in mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice were housed in an envy-like environment for three weeks.
- Behavioral experiments were conducted to assess changes in behavior.
- Serum corticosterone levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Mice in the envy-like environment exhibited increased body weight and anxiety-like behaviors.
- These mice also showed decreased social behavior and lower serum corticosterone levels compared to controls.
- The findings suggest mice recognize neighboring cages and experience psychological stress from envy.
Conclusions:
- Envy can increase anxiety, and this study provides a partial scientific basis for this phenomenon.
- The novel experimental setup may facilitate the creation of an animal model for anxiety disorders.
- Further research can explore the neurobiological underpinnings of envy-related anxiety.
