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Early Social Enrichment Shapes Social Behavior and Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in the Adult Mouse Brain
Abstract
Background Early experiences produce persistent changes in brain and behavioral function. We investigate whether being reared in a communal nest (CN), a form of early social enrichment that characterizes the natural ecological niche of many rodent species including the mouse, has effects on adult social/aggressive behavior and nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in mice.Methods The CN consisted of a single nest where three mothers kept their pups together and shared care-giving behavior from birth to weaning (postnatal day 25).Results Compared to standard laboratory conditions, in CN condition, mouse mothers displayed higher levels of maternal care. At adulthood, CN mice displayed higher propensity to interact socially and achieved more promptly the behavioral profile of either dominant or subordinate male. Furthermore, CN adult mice showed higher NGF levels, which were further affected by social status, and higher BDNF levels in the brain.Conclusions Our findings indicate that CN, a highly stimulating early social environment, produces differences in social behavior later in life associated with marked changes of neurotrophin levels in selected brain areas, including hippocampus and hypothalamus.
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“in mice, communal rearing and alloparents are known to increase the amount of maternal care the offspring receives which is highly correlated with increased sociality (Branchi et al., 2006; Curley et al., 2009).”
From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Branchi et al., 2006
In the citing paper
“which is inducible by lifestyle factors [10], [11] and, in animal models, social enrichment [12].”
From Associations between social relationship measures, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and risk of stroke and dementia (2017) · cites this paper as [12]
In the citing paper
“our findings are consistent with similar results in animal models [12].”
From Associations between social relationship measures, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and risk of stroke and dementia (2017) · cites this paper as [12]
In the citing paper
“Our findings might extend observed effects of BDNF and lifestyle factors on human studies [38] as well as on animal models associating BDNF with the broader construct of social enrichment [12].”
From Associations between social relationship measures, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and risk of stroke and dementia (2017) · cites this paper as [12]
In the citing paper
“Animal and human studies suggest that different aspects of social support may have variable effects because of differences in how different forms of social support influence other mediating pathways, such as cognitive stimulation [12], systemic inflammation [20], or lifestyle habits [39], [40].”
From Associations between social relationship measures, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and risk of stroke and dementia (2017) · cites this paper as [12]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Branchi, I., D’Andrea, I., Fiore, M., Di Fausto, V., Aloe, L., & Alleva, E.
- Affiliations
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT)
- Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Branchi, Igor
- Venue
- Biological Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2006-10
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 690-696
- ISSN
- 0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1980430329
- Cited by
- 227
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 14.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Keywords
- maternal care, social behavior, aggression, nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophins, social status, hippocampus, hypothalamus, early life experience, domination and subordination
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Aggression, Animals, Brain, Female, Male, Maternal Behavior, Social Behavior, Social Environment, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor, Mice
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