Topic: social status

This study examined the long-term effects of low social status on adult prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIPPO) structure, functional connectivity and cognitive function using a translational rhesus monkey model.Twenty seven female rhesus monkeys (13 dominant -DOM-, 14 subordinate -SUB-) received structural- and resting-state functional MRI scans to examine the volume of and functional connectivity (FC) between HIPPO and PFC subregions important for executive function, working memory and reward monitoring (dorsolateral PFC(dlPFC) -Area 46-; orbitofrontal cortex(OFC) -Area 13-; medial PFC(

Social status is key to mental health and well-being. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulates motivated behaviors, including the establishment of social hierarchies. Our recent work underscored NAc mitochondrial energy metabolism as critical for social competition among rodents. However, the exact neurochemical and molecular underpinnings of the differences in NAc energy metabolism and the specific contribution of distinct cell types are yet to be determined. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows the study of metabolites related to energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and cellular integr

Social status affects health by influencing the capacity of the immune system to respond to infection and disease. However, the neuronal mechanisms that explain how social status causes individual differences in immunity are unknown. In this study, we observed that among social groups of four male mice, those ranked second in hierarchy display superior T-cell expansion upon vaccination. The improved T-cell responses in second ranked mice were dependent on the ability of synaptic communication in the brain. The brain circuits that control the position in the social hierarchy are beginning to em