Vasopressin and pair-bond formation: genes to brain to behavior

Physiology (Bethesda). 2006 Apr:21:146-52. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00049.2005.

Abstract

Microtine rodents provide an excellent model for the study of the neurobiology of social bonds. In this review, we discuss how the presence of a microsatellite sequence in the prairie vole vasopressin receptor gene may determine vasopressin receptor binding patterns in the brain and how these patterns may in turn affect social behavior.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Arvicolinae
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Oxytocin / genetics
  • Oxytocin / physiology
  • Pair Bond*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Receptors, Vasopressin / genetics
  • Receptors, Vasopressin / physiology
  • Vasopressins / genetics
  • Vasopressins / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Vasopressin
  • Vasopressins
  • Oxytocin