Abstract
Impaired social behavior is a common feature of many psychiatric disorders, in particular with substance abuse disorders. Switching the preference of the substance-dependent individual toward social interaction activities remains one of the major challenges in drug dependence therapy. However, social interactions yield to the emergence of social ranking. In this review, we provide an overview of the studies that examined how social status can influence the dopaminergic mesolimbic system and how drug-seeking behavior is affected. Generally, social dominance is associated with an increase in dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in the striatum and a reduced behavioral response to drugs of abuse. However, it is not clear whether higher D2 receptor availability is a result of increased D2 receptor density and/or reduced dopamine release in the striatum. Here, we discuss the possibility of a potential shift from down to top rank via manipulation of the mesolimbic system. Identifying the neurobiology underlying a potential rank switch to a resilient phenotype is of particular interest in order to promote a positive coping behavior toward long-term abstinence from drugs of abuse and a protection against relapse to drugs. Such a shift may contribute to a more successful therapeutic approach to cocaine addiction.
Highlights
Impaired social behavior is a common feature of many psychiatric disorders including substance abuse disorders, depression, schizophrenia and autism
Using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to study brain dopaminergic function in individually and socially housed cynomolgus macaques, it was found that social housing increased the amount or availability of DA D2 receptors in the basal ganglia of dominant monkeys, and produced no change in subordinate monkeys [13]
The same group reported that stimulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons seems to promote dominant behavior [73]. Even though these results may appear to be in direct contrast to others that supported a decrease in DA content in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of dominant individuals, they pointed out the importance of the mesolimbic system as a potential substrate for social ranking
Summary
Impaired social behavior is a common feature of many psychiatric disorders including substance abuse disorders, depression, schizophrenia and autism. In the context of substance use disorders, disturbances in social interaction are associated with an increased drug consumption and challenge treatment success in recovering addicts [1]. Switching the behavior of the substance-dependent individual toward social interaction activities remains one of the major challenges in drug dependence therapy [2]. Social interaction between at least two individuals, usually of the same species, yields to the emergence of social ranking in the group. A group is defined as a set of conspecific individuals that remain together and interact with each other more than with other conspecifics [3]. Social rank in a group of individuals constantly monitors one’s standing in relation to others and uses that information to guide behavior [4], such as access to resources and defending territories.
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