Behavioural Brain Research 2010-12-25

Neonatal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor blockade reduces maternal odor preference in rats.

Vanessa A Garcia, Arethuza S Dornelles, Juliana Presti-Torres, Luisa A Alcalde, Luis Henrique Halmenschlager, Gilberto Schwartsmann, Rafael Roesler, Aldo B Lucion, Nadja Schröder

Index: Behav. Brain Res. 214(2) , 456-9, (2010)

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Abstract

Alterations in attachment behavior might play a role in the dysfunction in social behavior displayed by autistic infants. Here we show that neonatal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) blockade induces a reduction in maternal odor preference, a task involving attachment behavior, in infant rats. These findings provide the first evidence that the GRPR regulates odor preference, supporting the view that the GRPR is involved in attachment and social behaviors.Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.