PHD, Kent State University, 2012, College of Arts and Sciences / School of Biomedical Sciences

Social behavior is essential to an animal's survival and has been widely studied in a variety of species. All are regulated by the central nervous system and modulated by neuropeptides. One neuropeptide that is known to play a role in the regulation of social behavior is arginine vasopressin (Avp). Most of Avp's effects on behavior have been attributed to its action via its 1a receptor (Avpr1a). However, there is compelling evidence from knockout studies that the Avp 1b receptor (Avpr1b) also plays a significant role in the modulation of social behavior. Avpr1b knockout (-/-) mice show deficits in social behaviors, such as reduced aggression and impaired social recognition. The Avpr1b is more discretely distributed than the Avpr1a being found primarily in the CA2 region of the hippocampus by in situ hybridization. The presence of the Avpr1b within the CA2 region is of particular interest because animals with lesions to the hippocampus that include the CA2 region show social behavior deficits similar to that of Avpr1b -/- mice. This dissertation set out to study the role of the Avpr1b within the CA2 region of the hippocampus in the neural regulation of social behaviors, including aggression, social memory, and social motivation.

Committee: Heather Caldwell PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Endocrinology; Neurosciences