A pair of mandarin voles that successfully formed the pair bond. Image credit: Zhang et al. (CC BY 4.0)
In some animals, including humans, breeding pairs form strong, lasting bonds. These connections can be useful when raising offspring, especially in species where rearing takes a long time. Chemicals in the brain play a part in forming these bonds, including dopamine, a chemical involved in triggering feelings of pleasure and reward.
The nucleus accumbens is a region of the brain that has roles in decision-making, motivation and reward processing. It is the centre that connects the motivation to do something with taking the action, and it has a fundamental role in partner selection and pair bonding. Dopamine is an important chemical in the nucleus accumbens, and two types of neurons in this region of the brain, known as D1 and D2 spiny neurons, each carry a different dopamine receptor. Changes in dopamine release, or changes in how the D1 and D2 neurons in the nucleus accumbens respond to this chemical, likely shape how pair bonding occurs.
To learn more, Zhang, Qu et al. examined dopamine levels and neuron activity in the nucleus accumbens of mandarin voles, a type of rodent that forms monogamous relationships. The researchers found that after the voles paired up, their brains released higher levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, triggering feelings of pleasure. Additionally, Zhang, Qu et al. found that when the voles sniffed their partners, the activity of D1 neurons increased, while that of D2 neurons decreased. Forming a bond changed how the different neurons connected and responded to dopamine, indicating that each type of neuron plays a different role in bond formation.
These findings help us understand how pair bonding occurs, but the results could also provide insights into how other types of close connections are established and maintained. This information could also help researchers better understand the neurological basis of neurodevelopmental conditions or mental health issues, such as social anxiety.
