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Neurobiology of Aggression in Monogamous Male Prairie Voles

Using the well-established prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) model, my dissertation has explored the underlying neurochemical mechanisms regulating social behavior. In this dissertation I begin with describing the prairie vole model and reviewing the underlying neurochemical mechanisms of pair bonding and interactions between drug abuse and social behavior. Chapter 2 indentifies a sub-nucleus in the forebrain, the anterior hypothalamus (AH) that is behaviorally- and site-specifically activated during aggression. Chapter 3 demonstrates AH-vasopressin (AVP)-receptor expression and -release patterns directly regulating aggression associated with pair bonding or drug experience. Chapter 4 reveals a specific neuroanatomical circuit connecting the AH with the lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and medial amygdala to coordinate social recognition, motivation, and behavioral expression associated with pair bonding-induced selective aggression. Finally, chapter 5 summarizes the data collected in this dissertation and discusses potential implications of these data as well as future studies in the neurobiology of aggression. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2010. / May 6, 2010. / Pharmacology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Viral Vector, Vasopressin, Neurobiology, Hypothalamus, Social Behavior / Includes bibliographical references. / Zuoxin Wang, Professor Directing Dissertation; Tom Keller, University Representative; Michael Meredith, Committee Member; Elaine Hull, Committee Member; Jon Maner, Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_182387
ContributorsGobrogge, Kyle Lynn (authoraut), Wang, Zuoxin (professor directing dissertation), Keller, Tom (university representative), Meredith, Michael (committee member), Hull, Elaine (committee member), Maner, Jon (committee member), Department of Psychology (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
PublisherFlorida State University, Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text
Format1 online resource, computer, application/pdf
RightsThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them.

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