Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Zeus Gracia-Tabuenca
Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Juan J Ortiz
Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Francisco J Camacho
Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Larry J Young
Silvio O Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
Raúl G Paredes
Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico; Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Néstor F Díaz
Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Wendy Portillo
Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
Previous studies have related pair-bonding in Microtus ochrogaster, the prairie vole, with plastic changes in several brain regions. However, the interactions between these socially relevant regions have yet to be described. In this study, we used resting-state magnetic resonance imaging to explore bonding behaviors and functional connectivity of brain regions previously associated with pair-bonding. Thirty-two male and female prairie voles were scanned at baseline, 24 hr, and 2 weeks after the onset of cohabitation. By using network-based statistics, we identified that the functional connectivity of a corticostriatal network predicted the onset of affiliative behavior, while another predicted the amount of social interaction during a partner preference test. Furthermore, a network with significant changes in time was revealed, also showing associations with the level of partner preference. Overall, our findings revealed the association between network-level functional connectivity changes and social bonding.