The mouse that roared: neural mechanisms of social hierarchy

•We discuss various behavioral assays to study social status in laboratory rodents. •The PFC is identified as the key brain area controling social hierarchal behavior. •Subcortical brain regions interact with the PFC to process dominance behavior. •Approaches to study the neuronal circuits that regulate social dominance are proposed. Hierarchical social status greatly influences behavior and health. Human and animal studies have begun to identify the brain regions that are activated during the formation of social hierarchies. They point towards the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a central regulator, with brain areas upstream of the PFC conveying information about social status, and downstream brain regions executing dominance behavior. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the neural circuits that control social status. We discuss how the neural mechanisms for various types of dominance behavior can be studied in laboratory rodents by selective manipulation of neuronal activity or synaptic plasticity. These studies may help in finding the cause of social stress-related mental and physical health problems. Hierarchical social status greatly influences behavior and health. Human and animal studies have begun to identify the brain regions that are activated during the formation of social hierarchies. They point towards the prefrontal cortex (PFC) as a central regulator, with brain areas upstream of the PFC conveying information about social status, and downstream brain regions executing dominance behavior. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the neural circuits that control social status. We discuss how the neural mechanisms for various types of dominance behavior can be studied in laboratory rodents by selective manipulation of neuronal activity or synaptic plasticity. These studies may help in finding the cause of social stress-related mental and physical health problems. social behavior related to fighting, but broader than aggressive behavior because it includes threats, displays, retreats, placating aggressors, and conciliation. posture in which a monkey struts with tail held in stiff ‘?’ shape. arthropod species of animal (such as a crab, shrimp, or lobster) that has several pairs of legs and a body made up of sections that are covered in a hard outer shell. antidepressant drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin in the brain (also known as Prozac). technique used in neuroscience that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically sensitized to light. a mental structure of preconceived ideas based on common experiences that helps to understand the familiar world. related to the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin. display of aggressive behavior without an obvious target. economic and sociological combined total measure of the work experience of an individual and of the economic and social position of an individual or a family in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation. the act of forcing someone into a submissive role. the principal psychoactive constituent of the cannabis plant. the mathematical concept of relations stating that if A > B, and B > C, then A > C.