Animal models and behavioral paradigms are critical for elucidating the neural mechanism
involved in complex behaviors, including social cognition. Both genotype and phenotype …

Early social attachments lie at the heart of emotional and social development in many
mammals, including humans. In nature, monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) …

Oxytocin modulates many aspects of social cognition and behaviors, including maternal
nurturing, social recognition and bonding. Natural variation in oxytocin receptor (OXTR) …

Oxytocin (OT) is a deeply conserved nonapeptide that acts both peripherally and centrally to
modulate reproductive physiology and sociosexual behavior across divergent taxa …

Adult pair bonding involves dramatic changes in the perception and valuation of another
individual. One key change is that partners come to reliably activate the brain's reward …

Emerging research points to a valuable role of the monoamine neurotransmitter, serotonin,
in the display of maternal behaviors and reproduction-associated plasticity in the maternal …

Social cognition refers to processes used to monitor and interpret social signals from others,
to decipher their state of mind, emotional status and intentions, and select appropriate social …

Oxytocin receptors (OXTR) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) promote alloparental behavior
and partner preference formation in female prairie voles. Within the NAcc there is significant …

Sociality—ie, life in social groups—has evolved many times in rodents, and there is
considerable variation in the nature of these groups. While many species-typical behaviors …

Despite significant evidence that opioids are involved in attachment by mediating social
reward and motivation, the role of opioids in the formation of adult social attachments has …