The neurobiology of social play and its rewarding value in rats

Summary & key facts

Young rats engage in a lot of social play and that play feels rewarding. The review found that several brain chemicals change how much rats play: opioids, endocannabinoids, dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine is especially important for the motivation to play. Different brain areas—like the nucleus accumbens, basolateral amygdala, prefrontal cortex and habenula—are involved in these effects. Social play helps social and emotional development and is disturbed in some childhood psychiatric conditions such as autism and ADHD. In rats, play is highest around postnatal days 28–40 and is commonly measured by pouncing (nape contact) and pinning.

Key facts:

• Social play in rats is very common from weaning until after puberty and peaks roughly between postnatal days 28–40.
• Social play is a clearly rewarding and pleasurable activity in rats, according to studies reviewed.
• Four neurochemical systems—opioid, endocannabinoid, dopamine and noradrenaline—play prominent roles in modulating social play.
• Dopamine is identified as particularly important for the motivational properties of social play (that is, the wanting or drive to play).
• The nucleus accumbens is a key brain site where opioids and dopamine influence social play.
• Endocannabinoid effects on social play depend on the basolateral amygdala, while noradrenaline influences play via the basolateral amygdala, habenula and prefrontal cortex.
• Researchers commonly measure social play in rats by counting pouncing (nape contact) and pinning behaviors; these behaviours increase after short periods of social isolation (hours to days).
• The review notes that abnormal social play is linked to pediatric psychiatric disorders, and specifically mentions autism, disruptive behaviour disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and early-onset schizophrenia.

Topics

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Categories

Psychology Social Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Amygdala Basolateral amygdala Cognition Dopamine Endocannabinoid system Internal medicine Medicine Neuroscience Nucleus accumbens Prefrontal cortex Psychology Receptor

Conditions & symptoms

ADHD Feeling disconnected from others