Social isolation reduces serotonergic fiber density in the inferior colliculus of female, but not male, mice.

Social isolation reduces serotonergic fiber density in the inferior colliculus of female, but not male, mice.
Brain Res. 2018 May 12;:
Authors: Keesom SM, Morningstar MD, Sandlain R, Wise BM, Hurley LM
Abstract
Early-life experiences, including maternal deprivation and social isolation during adolescence, have a profound influence on a range of adult social behaviors. Post-weaning social isolation in rodents influences behavior in part through the alteration of neuromodulatory systems, including the serotonergic system. Of significance to social behavior, the serotonergic system richly innervates brain areas involved in vocal communication, including the auditory system. However, the influence of isolation on serotonergic input to the auditory system remains underexplored. Here, we assess whether 4 weeks of post-weaning individual housing alters serotonergic fiber density in the inferior colliculus (IC), an auditory midbrain nucleus in which serotonin alters auditory-evoked activity. Individually housed male and female mice were compared to conspecifics housed socially in groups of three. Serotonergic projections were subsequently visualized with an antibody to the serotonin transporter, which labels serotonergic fibers with relatively high selectivity. Fiber densities were estimated in the three major subregions of the IC using line-scan intensity analysis. Individually housed female mice showed a significantly reduced fiber density...

Source: Brain Research - May 12, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Keesom SM, Morningstar MD, Sandlain R, Wise BM, Hurley LM Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research