Deficit in Attachment Behavior in Mice Lacking the µ-Opioid Receptor Gene
Abstract
Endogenous opioid binding to μ receptors is hypothesized to mediate natural rewards and has been proposed to be the basis of infant attachment behavior. Here, we report that μ-opioid receptor knockout mouse pups emit fewer ultrasonic vocalizations when removed from their mothers but not when exposed to cold or male mice odors. Moreover these knockout pups do not show a preference toward their mothers' cues and do not show ultrasonic calls potentiation after brief maternal exposure. Results from this study may indicate a molecular mechanism for diseases characterized by deficits in attachment behavior, such as autism or reactive attachment disorder.
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MOR knockout mouse pups emit fewer distress vocalizations after maternal separation and show less selectivity for their mother's cues.
“In MOR knockout mice, pups emit fewer DVs in response to maternal separation and show less selectivity for their mothers’ cues (Moles et al 2004).”
From The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction (2012) · cites this paper as Moles et al 2004
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- Authors
- Moles, A., Kieffer, B. L., & D'Amato, F. R.
- Affiliations
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Corresponding author
- D'Amato, Francesca R.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2004-06-25
- Volume
- 304
- Issue
- 5679
- Pages
- 1983-1986
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2014102714
- Cited by
- 449
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 34.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- mu-opioid receptor, knockout mice, attachment behavior, ultrasonic vocalizations, maternal separation, infant attachment, autism spectrum disorder, reactive attachment disorder, endogenous opioids, natural reward
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animals, Newborn, Bedding and Linens, Behavior, Animal, Cold Temperature, Cues, Female, Genotype, Male, Maternal Behavior, Maternal Deprivation, Mothers, Mutation, Object Attachment, Odorants, Reward, Vocalization, Animal, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Mice, Knockout, Mice
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