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PubMedDate not supplied

Methylmercury effects on the social behavior of Macaca fascicularis infants.

Observations of the social behavior of Macaca fascicularis exposed in utero to methylmercury (MeHg) and nonexposed control infants were performed as part of a study of the toxic, reproductive and developmental effects of maternal MeHg intake. Infants were tested twice weekly from 2 weeks to 8 months of age. Data were summarized into 6 categories of social behavior and 7 categories of nonsocial behavior. Analysis of the most prevalent behavior indicated that MeHg-exposed offspring exhibited a decrease in social play behavior and a concomitant increase in nonsocial passive behavior. The MeHg effect on social play behavior tended to decrease with age, while the group differences in nonsocial passive behavior tended to increase. The results indicate that maternal intake of MeHg during pregnancy can affect the social development of infant primates by suppressing social interactions and increasing nonsocial behavior.

Aging↗
PubMed2003

The Polyvagal Theory: phylogenetic contributions to social behavior.

The scientific legacy of Paul MacLean provides important insights into the neural substrate of adaptive social behavior in mammals. Through his research and visionary conceptualizations, current investigators can legitimately study social behavior from a neurobiological perspective. His research and writings provided three important contributions. First, he emphasized the importance of evolution as an organizing principle that shaped both the structure of the nervous system and the adaptive social behavior. Second, by defining the limbic system, he legitimized the biological perspective in the study of emotion. Third, he recognized the important role of the vagal afferents in the regulation of higher brain structures. The paper will focus on the Polyvagal Theory. The Polyvagal Theory is a new conceptualization of the role of vagus and employs several features that MacLean emphasized including the importance of evolution, limbic structures and vagal afferents. The Polyvagal Theory builds on these early findings by MacLean and focuses on the link between phylogenetic changes in the autonomic nervous system and social behavior. By focusing on the phylogenetic changes in the structure of the vagus and the role that the vagus plays in the neural regulation of visceral state, new insights regarding social behavior emerge. Moreover, by articulating the phylogenetically organized hierarchy of neural circuits, insights into benefits of social behavior become evident as do an understanding of the behavioral and physiological features associated with stress and psychiatric disorders.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The MSH/ACTH(4-9) analog Org2766 counteracts isolation-induced enhanced social behavior via the amygdala.

MSH/ACTH-like peptides influence social behavior induced by isolation It has been previously demonstrated that changes in locomotor activity as a result of isolation can be counteracted by Org2766 via the amygdala. The present study investigates whether isolation-induced changes in social behavior can also be affected by this peptide via the amygdala. A fully automated observation system was applied for detailed registration and analysis of movements of group-housed and 7-day isolated rats in a social interaction test. Administration of the MSH/ACTH(4-9) analog into the central nucleus of the amygdala elicited decreased locomotion, approach, and avoidance behaviors after isolation as compared to placebo-treated controls. However, general activity and social interest of group-housed rats were not affected by the MSH/ACTH(4-9) fragment. It is hypothesized that the amygdala is a site of action for neuropeptides in modulating social behavior.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1988

Effects of smoked marijuana on human social behavior in small groups.

Six adult male research volunteers, in two groups of three subjects each, lived continuously in a residential laboratory for seven consecutive days. Subjects' behaviors, including social interaction and coaction, were continuously recorded. During the first part of the day (0945-1700), subjects remained in their private rooms doing work activities. During the remainder of the day (1700-2345), they had the option to socialize with the other subjects. Four cigarettes containing active marijuana (2.7% delta 9-THC w/w) or placebo were smoked daily: two during the work period, and two during the social access period. Active marijuana had no effect on the total amount of time that subjects spent in the social area. However, active marijuana changed the distribution of activity within the social area by decreasing the amount of time subjects spent engaging in verbal exchanges, i.e., interaction, while simultaneously increasing the amount of time that subjects engaged in the same activity, but in the absence of verbal exchanges, i.e., coaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A novel computerized system for analyzing motor and social behavior in groups of animals.

We present here the VMB Tracking System, a novel method for tracking locomotor activity, posture, thigmotactic scanning behavior and social interactions of up to eight animals at a time, at a high resolution (up to+/-0.1 mm). We used a commercially available computerized system that is considerably cheaper than other available methods. This system utilizes a basic personal computer controlling three transponders ('towers') fixed in space above the tested area, where animals as small as rats stroll freely in their normal habitat or in an experimental arena. Each tower emits infra-red (IR) pulses to a transponder ('button') adhered to a plastic mount glued to a shaved area of skin on the animal's back. When the button detects the IR pulses it responds with a button-specific ultrasonic signal that is fed back to the towers. The 3D location of the buttons is calculated by triangulation. Movement parameters of each button, such as displacement trajectory, time, speed and acceleration, can be displayed on-line and stored for off-line analysis. This system can be used to track animals in any lighting conditions, and to assess drug effects on the CNS, neuromuscular junction or muscle. As an example we demonstrate the ataxic effects of pentobarbital in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Affective and social-behavioral correlates of physical and social anhedonia in schizophrenia.

The association between scales measuring physical and social anhedonia, self-reports of affective response to emotion-eliciting films, and role play measures of social skill was evaluated in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar affective disorder. We hypothesized that patients with schizophrenia would report significantly greater anhedonia than the bipolar patients and that higher scores on the anhedonia scales would be related to attenuated reports of the experience of positive affect and poorer social skill. Patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder did not differ in ratings of anhedonia, but both groups had higher physical and social anhedonia scores than did bipolar patients. Higher scores on the physical anhedonia scale, but not the social anhedonia scale, were related to attenuated reports of positive affect following viewing of affect-eliciting films in schizophrenia-schizoaffective disorder patients. Neither anhedonia scale was related to role play measures of social skill performance for any patient group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Loss of social behaviors by myxococcus xanthus during evolution in an unstructured habitat.

Social behaviors are often targets of natural selection among higher organisms, but quantifying the effects of such selection is difficult. We have used the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus as a model system for studying the evolution of social interactions. Changes in the social behaviors of 12 M. xanthus populations were quantified after 1,000 generations of evolution in a liquid habitat, in which interactions among individuals were continually hindered by shaking and low cell densities. Derived lineages were compared with their ancestors with respect to maximum growth rate, motility rates on hard and soft agar, fruiting body formation ability, and sporulation frequency during starvation. Improved performance in the liquid selective regime among evolved lines was usually associated with significant reductions in all of the major social behaviors of M. xanthus. Maintenance of functional social behaviors is apparently detrimental to fitness under asocial growth conditions.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toward health promotion: physical and social behaviors in complete health.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of physical and social behaviors on "complete health." METHODS: "Complete health" was constructed from measures of physical and mental health collected through the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS; n = 3032). Multinomial regression models examined the association of complete health with physical and social behaviors. RESULTS: The odds of complete health were greatest among those who exercised, never smoked, attended church regularly, and had frequent contact with friends. Some "social" behaviors exerted effects comparable to "physical" behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting social behaviors may yield similar gains to complete health as physical behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Social behavior deficits in the Fmr1 mutant mouse.

Mice exhibiting deficits in social behavior may provide valuable models for autistic-like behavioral problems. We tested social interactions in male mice from three inbred strains: C57BL/6J (B6), BALB/cJ (C) and DBA/2J (D2). All three strains showed gradual habituation of the number of social interactions with an ovariectomized female over four subsequent 2min sessions, returning to initial levels when presented with another stimulus mouse. Next, we studied males with a knockout mutation in the Fmr1 gene on a B6 background. KO animals showed strongly reduced levels of social interaction, which were about similar as those of habituated controls. This social behavior deficit suggests that Fmr1 KO mice could possibly be used as models for autistic behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Maternal behavior changes after immune challenge of neonates with developmental effects on adult social behavior.

To examine whether maternal responsiveness during interactions with endotoxin-treated pups contributes to long-term effects on social development, neonatal mice were fostered on postnatal day 1 to dams from three selectively bred lines that differ in social behaviors. On day 5, neonates were administered saline or 0.5 mg/kg endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, i.p.). Observations of undisturbed dams and litters on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 showed modest line differences in maternal behaviors. At the peak intensity of the transient illness induced by endotoxin (3 hr postinjection on day 5), dams increased licking and decreased time off-nest for endotoxin, but not saline-treated pups. As adults, fostered-reared males were observed in brief social interactions. Males exposed to endotoxin early in life showed changes in adult social behaviors that depended on foster dam line as well as individual differences in maternal responsiveness. Maternal responsiveness to stressed neonates can ameliorate the social-developmental effects of early illness.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Generalization in social behavior research with children and youth who have emotional or behavioral disorders.

This article presents a critical analysis of social behavior research with students who have emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD). In particular, it focuses on issues of generalized responding and a technology of generalization promotion. From a review of selected studies the conclusion is drawn that (a) researchers too rarely examine generalization in social behavior research, (b) studies that provide analysis of generalization rely on the least analytic approaches, and (c) generalization is seldom presented as a dependent variable of central interest in social behavior research with EBD students. Guidelines for further research in the area of generalization promotion are offered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Infant social behavior in front of a mirror and in front of a familiar and an unfamiliar peer.

In this study, we explored the differences in infant social behaviors in front of the mirror and in front of a familiar and an unfamiliar peer. We assumed that infant social behaviors in front of the mirror constitute mainly an exploration of the mirror image characteristics. Our observations were videotaped and coded according to definitions of social behavior in infant-infant situations. The results obtained indicate that 6- to 13-month-old infants display significantly more frequent social behaviors in front of a mirror than in front of a familiar or an unfamiliar peer. These behaviors are characterized by tactile contact with the mirror surface, adapting the hand to this surface, and very frequent coordinated social behaviors. This pattern of social behaviors in front of the mirror is discussed and linked to the exploration of distinctive characteristics of the self-reflected image such as perfect synchronicity of movement and two-dimensionality.

Body Image↗
PubMed2004

Distribution of methionine and leucine enkephalin neurons within the social behavior circuitry of the male Syrian hamster brain.

Enkephalin plays a role in the social behaviors of many species, but no corresponding role for this peptide has been investigated in the male Syrian hamster, a species in which brain nuclei controlling social behaviors have been identified. Previous studies have shown the distribution of dynorphin and beta-endorphin throughout social behavior circuits within the male hamster brain. To date, the only studies of enkephalin in the hamster brain address the distribution of this peptide in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus. The present study provides a complete map of enkephalinergic neurons within the forebrain and midbrain of the male Syrian hamster and addresses the question of whether enkephalin immunoreactive (Enk-ir) cells are found within brain regions relevant to male hamster social behaviors. Following immunocytochemistry for either methionine enkephalin (met-enkephalin) or leucine enkephalin (leu-enkephalin), we observed enkephalin localization consistent with data that have previously been reported in the rat, with notable exceptions including lateral septum, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and cingulate gyrus. Additionally, met- and leu-enkephalin localization patterns largely overlap. Consistent with the post-translational processing of preproenkephalin, met-enkephalin was more abundant than leu-enkephalin both within individual cells (darker staining), and within given brain nuclei (more met-enkephalin immunoreactive cells). Two exceptions were the posterointermediate bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, containing more neurons heavily labeled for leu-enkephalin, and the main olfactory bulb, where only met-enkephalin was observed. Of most interest for this study was the observation of Enk-ir cells and terminals in areas implicated in both sexual and agonistic behaviors in this species.

Aggression↗