Genetic Isolation of Hypothalamic Neurons that Regulate Context-Specific Male Social Behavior

•A group of neurons in the ventral premammillary nucleus express dopamine markers•These neurons are activated in male intruder, but not resident, mice•These neurons regulate same-sex social behavior in specific contexts•These neurons function via glutamate release, but do not release detectable dopamine

SummaryNearly all animals engage in a complex assortment of social behaviors that are essential for the survival of the species. In mammals, these behaviors are regulated by sub-nuclei within the hypothalamus, but the specific cell types within these nuclei responsible for coordinating behavior in distinct contexts are only beginning to be resolved. Here, we identify a population of neurons in the ventral premammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus (PMV) that are strongly activated in male intruder mice in response to a larger resident male but that are not responsive to females. Using a combination of molecular and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that these PMV neurons regulate intruder-specific male social behavior and social novelty recognition in a manner dependent on synaptic release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. These data provide direct evidence for a unique population of neurons that regulate social behaviors in specific contexts.

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