Social Behavior Research Articles

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of an internet-based prevention intervention for young children at-risk for functional abdominal pain

BackgroundChronic pain often clusters in families, where parents and their offspring both experience chronic pain conditions. Young children of parents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) represent an at-risk group for the development of abdominal pain, disability, and excess health care visits in later childhood. Parental solicitous responses to children’s expressions of discomfort and maternal modeling of their own illness behavior contribute to a greater focus on somatic sensations, leading to illness behaviors in children. This randomized controlled trial will test the effectiveness of an early preventive web-based psychosocial intervention (REACH)[TM] vs. an educational web-based safety comparison condition delivered to parents with IBS to alter parental responses and lead to improved child health and decreased health care costs.MethodsParents with IBS who have children ages 4–7 years are recruited via community-based approaches (e.g., social media advertisements, school electronic distribution, research networks) and health care providers. The target sample is 460 parents randomized to REACH, a web-based social learning and cognitive behavior therapy (SLCBT) intervention or an educational web-based safety comparison condition (EC). Participants will be assessed at baseline, 6-week (immediate post-intervention), 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up periods (months post-completion of intervention). The primary outcome is change in parental solicitous/protective behaviors. Secondary outcomes include parent risk and protective factors, child health and symptom outcomes, and health care utilization and cost savings.DiscussionThis study adapts a validated, parent-delivered intervention to treat chronic pain in children to a web-based application designed to prevent the development of chronic pain in very young, high-risk children. If successful, this strategy can both prevent adverse sequelae of this condition from developing as well as be widely accessible. Furthermore, the availability of a prevention model for parent training could result in significant short- and long-term health benefits across a broad spectrum of conditions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05730491. Registered on February 15, 2023.

MiniXL: An open-source, large field-of-view epifluorescence miniature microscope for mice capable of single-cell resolution and multi-brain region imaging.

Capturing the intricate dynamics of neural activity in freely behaving animals is essential for understanding the neural mechanisms underpinning specific behaviors. Miniaturized microscopy enables investigators to track population activity at cellular level, but the field of view (FOV) of these microscopes have been limited and does not allow multiple-brain region imaging. To fill this technological gap, we have developed the eXtra Large field-of-view Miniscope (MiniXL), a 3.5g lightweight miniaturized microscope with an FOV measuring 3.5 mm in diameter and an electrically adjustable working distance of 1.9 mm ± 200 μm. We demonstrated the capability of MiniXL recording the activity of large neuronal population in both subcortical area (hippocampal dorsal CA1) and deep brain regions (medial prefrontal cortex, mPFC and nucleus accumbens, NAc). The large FOV allows simultaneous imaging of multiple brain regions such as bilateral mPFCs or mPFC and NAc during complex social behavior and tracking cells across multiple sessions. As with all microscopes in the UCLA Miniscope ecosystem, the MiniXL is fully open-source and will be shared with the neuroscience community to lower the barriers for adoption of this technology.

Different neural correlates of deception: Crafting high and low creative scams

Deception is a complex social behavior that manifests in various forms, including scams. To successfully deceive victims, liars have to continually devise novel scams. This ability to create novel scams represents one kind of malevolent creativity, referred to as lying. This study aimed to explore different neural substrates involved in the generation of high and low creative scams. A total of 40 participants were required to design several creative scams, and their cortical activity was recorded by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that the right frontopolar cortex (FPC) was significantly active in scam generation. This region associated with theory of mind may be a key region for creating novel and complex scams. Moreover, creativity-related regions were positively involved in creative scams, while morality-related areas showed negative involvement. This suggests that individuals might attempt to use malevolent creativity while simultaneously minimizing the influence of moral considerations. The right FPC exhibited increased coupling with the right precentral gyrus during the design of high-harmfulness scams, suggesting a diminished control over immoral thoughts in the generation of harmful scams. Additionally, the perception of the victim’s emotions (related to right pre-motor cortex) might diminish the quality of highly original scams. Furthermore, an efficient and cohesive neural coupling state appears to be a key factor in generating high-creativity scams. These findings suggest that the right FPC was crucial in scam creation, highlighting a neural basis for balancing malevolent creativity against moral considerations in high-creativity deception.

Comparative Genomics Supports Ecologically Induced Selection as a Putative Driver of Banded Penguin Diversification.

The relative importance of genetic drift and local adaptation in facilitating speciation remains unclear. This is particularly true for seabirds, which can disperse over large geographic distances, providing opportunities for intermittent gene flow among distant colonies that span the temperature and salinity gradients of the oceans. Here, we delve into the genomic basis of adaptation and speciation of banded penguins, Galápagos (Spheniscus mendiculus), Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti), Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus), and African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), by analyzing 114 genomes from the main 16 breeding colonies. We aim to identify the molecular mechanism and genomic adaptive traits that have facilitated their diversifications. Through positive selection and gene family expansion analyses, we identified candidate genes that may be related to reproductive isolation processes mediated by ecological thermal niche divergence. We recover signals of positive selection on key loci associated with spermatogenesis, especially during the recent peripatric divergence of the Galápagos penguin from the Humboldt penguin. High temperatures in tropical habitats may have favored selection on loci associated with spermatogenesis to maintain sperm viability, leading to reproductive isolation among young species. Our results suggest that genome-wide selection on loci associated with molecular pathways that underpin thermoregulation, osmoregulation, hypoxia, and social behavior appears to have been crucial in local adaptation of banded penguins. Overall, these results contribute to our understanding of how the complexity of biotic, but especially abiotic, factors, along with the high dispersal capabilities of these marine species, may promote both neutral and adaptive lineage divergence even in the presence of gene flow.

The Influence of Cecal Microbiota Transplantation on Chicken Injurious Behavior: Perspective in Human Neuropsychiatric Research.

Numerous studies have evidenced that neuropsychiatric disorders (mental illness and emotional disturbances) with aggression (or violence) pose a significant challenge to public health and contribute to a substantial economic burden worldwide. Especially, social disorganization (or social inequality) associated with childhood adversity has long-lasting effects on mental health, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. Intestinal bacteria, functionally as an endocrine organ and a second brain, release various immunomodulators and bioactive compounds directly or indirectly regulating a host's physiological and behavioral homeostasis. Under various social challenges, stress-induced dysbiosis increases gut permeability causes serial reactions: releasing neurotoxic compounds, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal injury, and eventually neuropsychiatric disorders associated with aggressive, violent, or impulsive behavior in humans and various animals via a complex bidirectional communication of the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. The dysregulation of the MGB axis has also been recognized as one of the reasons for the prevalence of social stress-induced injurious behaviors (feather pecking, aggression, and cannibalistic pecking) in chickens. However, existing knowledge of preventing and treating these disorders in both humans and chickens is not well understood. In previous studies, we developed a non-mammal model in an abnormal behavioral investigation by rationalizing the effects of gut microbiota on injurious behaviors in chickens. Based on our earlier success, the perspective article outlines the possibility of reducing stress-induced injurious behaviors in chickens through modifying gut microbiota via cecal microbiota transplantation, with the potential for providing a biotherapeutic rationale for preventing injurious behaviors among individuals with mental disorders via restoring gut microbiota diversity and function.

The Role of Social Media in Building Islamic Banking Consumer Engagement: Analysing the Impact of Brand Personality Traits and Brand Love

This study aims to shed light on the role of social media in building consumer engagement and examines the impact of Islamic brand personality traits on electronic word-of-mouth and brand trust in the context of social media engagement behaviour within Islamic online banking. To assess the proposed model a sample of 665 users was recruited. The results show that the brand personality traits of Islamic brands within the context of the Islamic banking sector have a positive impact on brand trust and electronic word of mouth when mediated by brand love. This study addresses this gap in research by examining the impact of Islamic brand personality traits and brand love on electronic word-of-mouth and brand trust in Palestine. These results underline the importance of considering the alignment of brand personality traits with Islamic principles in fostering engagement and trust towards the brand.

The Effects of Social Problem-Solving Ability and Mindfulness Levels on Counselors' Burnout: A Review of Recent Literature

This paper reviews the current research status of university counselors' job burnout, focusing on the role of social problem solving ability and mindfulness in counselors' job burnout. This review combs through historical and recent developments in burnout research, analyzes empirical and theoretical gaps, and explores the relationships between key variables. Through the study, it was found that social problem solving ability and mindfulness have a significant impact on alleviating burnout, providing a direction for future research and practical intervention. The research results show that effective intervention and establishment of necessary support system for the unique needs of university counselors are very important, which is conducive to the career development, team development and role of counselors in higher education.

Cross-seasonal and diurnal variation in physical contact between sub-adult pigs

Social touch is an important aspect of social relationships and has a major influence on development and health. However, in many species the occurrence and function of social touch is unknown. Pigs have frequent physical contact but this behaviour is largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the undisturbed variation in physical contact between pigs, and to assess diurnal and seasonal influences. A stable group of ten Puławska sub-adult female pigs was observed for 406 h across four seasons during the day and night, by continuous observations on an individual level (406 h / pig). They were housed indoors (112 m2 pen) on straw bedding. The ethogram distinguished the amount of surface contact between pigs when lying, the orientation to others, social nosing, other non-agonistic social behaviour and agonistic behaviours. Resting location within the pen was recorded 48 times per pig, and dominance relationships were calculated from agonistic interactions. Data were analysed with mixed models accounting for repeated observations. Pigs spent on average 40 % of their time lying in body contact, most often lying with their extremities in contact (71 %), followed by lying in partial body contact (16 %) or full body contact (13 %) and were frequently nosing the head and body of others. The duration of lying in any type of contact, as well as agonistic behaviour, was influenced by season, with the longest durations in autumn. In summer, the duration of partial body contact was lowest, but full body contact was unaffected by season. Nosing behaviour remained constant throughout the year. Pigs lay in contact more during the night, while showing more social behaviours during the day. Pigs mostly lay in nonparallel orientation or head-to-head, but clearly least in the head-to-tail orientation. Season influenced the frequency of lying head-to-head and head-to-tail, but not lying nonparallel. The coefficient of variation of the lying location was influenced by season. Allo-grooming, mounting, and nudging were shown infrequently and mostly by specific individuals. In conclusion, when at a large space allowance, pigs spend nearly half of their time in body contact, even during the higher temperatures in summer. This shows that social touch, including affiliative behaviour, has an important role in pigs’ social life, and remains largely unaffected by external influences.

Enhancing anomaly detection: A comprehensive approach with MTBO feature selection and TVETBO[sbnd]Optimized Quad-LSTM classification

The rapid growth of computer networks has heightened system vulnerabilities, challenging traditional Machine Learning (ML) techniques in network anomaly detection due to the abundance of data, imbalanced attack classes, and large-scale datasets. This paper introduces a novel approach leveraging the AWID3 dataset, utilizing advanced preprocessing techniques such as data splitting and normalization. We propose the Mountaineering Team-Based Optimization (MTBO) algorithm for robust feature selection, inspired by social behavior and human collaboration. Additionally, we deploy a Quad-LSTM framework, integrating ConvLSTM, CNN-LSTM, E3D-LSTM, and SAConvLSTM models, fine-tuned by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training-Based Optimizer (TVETBO). Our approach achieves a remarkable 99.91 % accuracy, significantly surpassing existing models, thus enhancing network security by effectively addressing the complexities of anomaly detection.

Insights from neighbourhood walking interviews using the Living Environments and Active Aging Framework (LEAAF) in community-dwelling older adults

We aimed to understand whether neighbourhood characteristics are associated with movement and social behaviors using walking interviews with 28 community-dwelling older adults (aged 65+). Results indicated support for each component and each relationship in our proposed “Living Environments and Active Aging Framework”. Additional themes such as neighbourhoods with children, moving to neighbourhoods with opportunities for social activity and movement, and lingering effects of pandemic closures provided novel insights into the relationship between the living environment (neighbourhood) and active aging. Future work exploring sex and gender effects on these relationships, and work with equity-deserving groups is needed.

Anomalous behavior detection based on optimized graph embedding representation in social networks

Anomalous behaviors in social networks can lead to privacy leaks and the spread of false information. In this paper, we propose an anomalous behavior detection method based on optimized graph embedding representation. Specifically, the user behavior logs are first extracted into a social network user behavior temporal knowledge graph, based on which the graph embedding representation method is used to transform the network topology and temporal information in the user behavior knowledge graph into structural embedding vectors and temporal information embedding vectors, and the hybrid attention mechanism is used to merge the two types of vectors to obtain the final entity embedding to complete the prediction and complementation of the temporal knowledge graph of user behavior. We use graph neural networks, which use the temporal information of user behaviors as a time constraint and capture both user behavioral and semantic information. It converts the two parts of information into vectors for concatenation and linear transformation to obtain a comprehensive representation vector of the whole subgraph, as well as joint deep learning models to evaluate abnormal behavior. Finally, we perform experiments on the Yelp dataset to validate that our method achieves a 9.56% improvement in the F1-score.

Association of information technology ability, workplace social engagement, and successful ageing: validation of a short measure with three African samples

This study examined the association of workplace social engagement (WSE) and information technology ability (ITA) with successful ageing and validated a brief scale measuring WSE. The interaction of WSE and ITA on successful ageing was also assessed. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and the participants were 1186 older adults living in Kenya (n = 350), Nigeria (n = 260), and Ghana (n = 576). Pearson’s correlation and factor analyses of two datasets (i.e., waves 1 and 2) from the sample were utilised to validate the WSE scale. Hierarchical linear regression analysis with relevant sensitivity analyses were utilised to assess the associations with wave 2 data. The WSE scale produced satisfactory psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity) as a unidimensional measure. WSE and ITA were positively associated with successful ageing in Kenya and Ghana and in the consolidated data. The interaction between WSE and ITA was positively associated with successful ageing and its domains (i.e., illness avoidance, functioning, and engagement with life) in Kenya, Ghana, and consolidated data. At higher ITA or the use of information technologies, WSE is less strongly associated with successful ageing. WSE is more strongly associated with successful ageing only at moderate ITA.

Long-term co-occurrence and gregariousness in the migratory common stingray using network analysis

Aggregations and social interactions play an important role in the movement ecology of many animals, including elasmobranchs. Several of these species have shown the capability of carrying out complex social behaviours, and the importance of sociality in this taxon is being realized. Although it is a growing field of study in the case of these organisms, these processes still need to be better understood, especially to support management and conservation policies. In this study, a long-term acoustic telemetry data set collected on Dasyatis pastinaca in a coastal marine protected area was analysed. A co-occurrence network analysis was done to investigate preferential associations among individuals, revealing non-random associations among them. The analysis revealed a few strong and consistent associations that were maintained across inter-migratory periods, as this species performs seasonal migrations to a nearby estuary, suggesting temporal stability of the observed associations. Moreover, individuals had similar average positions and a generally high overlap of space use in both periods, indicating some level of site fidelity to the fully protected area. Groups of up to 64% of tagged individuals were co-detected at a same receiver, particularly in the western side of the array. Despite our limited sample size, likely underestimating associations, these results show that in addition to their large-scale movement pattern, D. pastinaca is likely to also present active partner preference and spatial structure at a finer spatial scale. The nature of such results is relevant to support the protection of these species.

Characterizing the Links Between Systemic Sclerosis and Breast Cancer.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects multiple organs in the body, culminating in a variance of severity and a reduced quality of life. Breast cancer (BC) also affects patients with SSc, and these two conditions affect a similar demographic. With this systematic review, we aim to characterize the links between SSc and BC. Characterizing possible links between SSc and breast malignancies is important for advancing the understanding of SSc management and comorbidities. In this systematic meta-analysis, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed using relevant keywords and MeSH terms. The inclusion criteria included an English-language retrospective analysis that characterized patients with SSc with or without BC. Two independent reviewers assessed the study's eligibility based on predetermined criteria. Data extraction included patient antibody measurements, demographics (age and gender), family history, social behaviors (alcohol use and smoking history), concurrent condition treatments, and adverse effects following treatment. Thirteen articles were identified in the literature with relevant data on SSc and BC patients. Studies encompassed research about SSc patients with or without BC and relevant risk factors being measured. SSc was found to have a link to antibodies widely associated with cancer. Adverse treatment outcomes and concurrent conditions of BC were found when patients had a family history of SSc, BC, or an alcohol or smoking history. Our results suggest that the presence of antinuclear antibodies, anti-centromere antibodies, or anti-topoisomerase antibodies in SSc patients is correlated with BC. Out of the three antibodies, ATA seemed to be found more commonly in patients with SSc and malignancy across the studies. This systematic review discusses the link between SSc and BC through patients with relevant clinical markers, medical histories, and treatments. However, further research is necessary to advance the linkage between SSc and BC and determine whether management of one condition may prevent or alleviate the other.

Benefits of Table Tennis for Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review.

This study aims to review the scientific evidence regarding the effects of table tennis practice on children and adolescents. Studies were searched in three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus) from their inception up to May 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the 10-point Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). A total of twelve studies were examined, with interventions involving children with intellectual disabilities, ADHD, DCD, ASD, and typically developing children. A variety of training programs were assessed over durations ranging from 6 weeks to 1 year in the studies included. Table tennis was shown to positively impact various domains, including executive function, motor skills, visual perception, graphomotor function, gross motor skills, coordination capacity, behavioral inhibition, and social behavior. Nonetheless, it is imperative to expand the number of studies on children and adolescents with diverse conditions to more comprehensively evaluate the benefits of table tennis for each specific condition.

Analytical characterization of volatiles present in the whole body odour of zebra finches

In recent decades, the compositions of preen oil and feathers have been studied to achieve insights into the chemistry of avian odours, which play a significant role in birds’ social behaviour. Fewer studies are available regarding volatiles originating from other sources, such as faeces, eggs or a bird’s whole body. The aims of this study were (i) to identify odour-active and further volatile compounds in zebra finch whole body odour and (ii) to semi-quantify selected volatiles and use the information to evaluate two different adsorbents for their suitability for whole body odour sampling. Volatiles from the headspace above zebra finches were sampled using an open loop system equipped with either activated charcoal or Tenax® TA. Samples were analysed by olfactory-guided approaches as well as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Using activated charcoal as sorbent, 26 odour-active and 73 further volatile compounds were detected, whereas with Tenax® TA 27 odour-active and 81 further volatile compounds were detected. In total, 104 compounds were (tentatively) identified, of which 22 had not been identified previously in zebra finch odour and 12 had not been described in any birds. Hints towards a chemical sex signature became evident for qualitative but not for quantitative differences. With the exception of some compounds, notably carboxylic acids and alkanes, relative peak areas obtained with the two adsorbent types were comparable. The approach described herein is proposed for future studies aiming to determine volatiles emitted by birds when, for example, parent birds are approaching the nest.Graphical

Measurement of Neuropeptides and Amino Acids with Carbon-Fiber Multielectrode Array Enzyme-Modified Biosensors

Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) have been used to detect neurotransmitters and other biomolecules using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) for the past few decades. These assays typically measure small molecule neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. The carbon fiber is relatively small, biocompatible, and makes minimally invasive measurements at high spatial and temporal resolution. Carbon Fiber Multielectrode arrays have been utilized to measure multiple neurotransmitters in several brain regions simultaneously with multi-waveform application on each electrode. We have extended this work to measure larger molecule neuropeptides such as Neuropeptide Y and Oxytocin, a pleiotropic peptide hormone, is physiologically important for adaptation, development, reproduction, and social behavior. This neuropeptide functions as a stress-coping molecule, an anti-inflammatory agent, and serves as an antioxidant with protective effects especially during adversity or trauma. Here, we measure tyrosine using the Modified Sawhorse Waveform (MSW), enabling enhanced electrode sensitivity for the amino acid and peptide, decreased surface fouling, and codetection with other catecholamines. As both oxytocin and Neuropeptide Y contain tyrosine, the MSW was also used to detect these neuropeptides. Additionally, we demonstrate that applying the MSW on CFMEs allows for real time measurements of exogenously applied neuropeptides on rat brain slices. These results may serve as novel assays for neuropeptide detection in a fast, sub-second timescale with possible implications for in vivo measurements and further understanding of the physiological role of neuropeptides such as Neuropeptide Y and oxytocin.Moreover, we have also developed enzyme modified microelectrodes for the measurement of glutamate (L-glutamic acid), which is an important excitatory amino acid and biomarker for epilepsy along with the inhibitory GABA. Since glutamate is not redox active at carbon electrodes, we modified CFMEs with glutamate oxidase enzyme to metabolize glutamate to hydrogen peroxide, which was then oxidized at carbon electrodes to produce readout cyclic voltammograms (CVs). The enzyme coating was optimized by varying the concentration of enzyme, chitosan binder, solvent, and deposition time. The coating was further analyzed electrochemically and imaged with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for thickness and uniformity of surface coverages. Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) was utilized for chemical surface functionalization analysis. Glutamate oxidation was found to be adsorption controlled to CFMEs and characterized at various scan rates, concentrations, and stability times as well with an approximate 100 nM limit of detection. Glutamate was co-detected in complex mixtures with several monoamines such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and others. Glutamate will furthermore be measured in several food samples and ex vivo in rat coronal brain slices and in vivo in anesthetized and freely behaving animals.

High-Throughput Evolution of Near-Infrared Oxytocin Nanosensors

Neuropeptide oxytocin is known for its crucial regulatory role in various social behaviors, yet our understanding of its function in the brain remains incomplete. There is a demonstrable need for an imaging probe with the requisite specificity and resolution to image endogenous oxytocin signaling. Here, we leverage an evolution-based molecular recognition platform called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment on Carbon Nanotubes (SELEC).1 With an initial library of over 1010 DNA sequences, we conducted six iterative rounds of competitive DNA-SWNCT binding in the presence and absence of oxytocin, respectively termed experimental and control SELEC, followed by adsorbed DNA isolation and enzymatic amplification to prepare the aptamer library for the subsequent round. Deep sequencing analysis and oxytocin sensitivity screening of the most enriched constructs per round revealed that oxytocin incubation enhanced the appearance of highly responsive DNA-SWCNT; only top nanosensors from SELEC experimental rounds 5 and 6 demonstrated a normalized ΔF/F0 greater than 60% in response to 100 µM oxytocin. Furthermore, the most oxytocin-sensitive aptamer was identified as E6#4, the 4th most-enriched sequence from the 6th experimental round. We briefly discuss how machine learning approaches can mine sequencing data from our SELEC experimental rounds to identify top-performing oxytocin nanosensors.Lastly, we characterize the top nanosensor candidates for sensitivity, selectivity, and reversibility, prior to demonstrating their use to image endogenous oxytocin release in acute brain slices. Our results indicate SELEC can serve as a general approach to evolving molecular recognition and developing imaging probes for complex targets such as oxytocin.1. Jeong, S.; Yang, D.; Beyene, A. G.; Travis, J.; Bonis-O’donnell, D.; Gest, A. M. M.; Navarro, N.; Sun, X.; Landry, M. P. High-Throughput Evolution of near-Infrared Serotonin Nanosensors; 2019; Vol. 5, pp 3771–3789. Figure 1

Deletion of endocannabinoid synthesizing enzyme DAGLα from cerebellar Purkinje cells decreases social preference and elevates anxiety.

ABSTRACTThe endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system is robustly expressed in the cerebellum starting from the embryonic developmental stages to adulthood. There it plays a key role in regulating cerebellar synaptic plasticity and excitability, suggesting that impaired eCB signaling will lead to deficits in cerebellar adjustments of ongoing behaviors and cerebellar learning. Indeed, human mutations inDAGLαare associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we show that selective deletion of the eCB synthesizing enzyme diacylglycerol lipase alpha (Daglα) from mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) alters motor and social behaviors, disrupts short-term synaptic plasticity in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and reduces Purkinje cell activity during social exploration. Our results provide the first evidence for cerebellar-specific eCB regulation of social behaviors and implicate eCB regulation of synaptic plasticity and PC activity as the neural substrates contributing to these deficits.Abstract FigureGraphical abstract.Cerebellar anatomy, morphology of Purkinje cells, localization, density, and spontaneous activity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses are normal in cerebellar-Purkinje-cell-specific Daglα KOs. However, endocannabinoid-dependent short-term synaptic plasticity (DSE and DSI) and activity of Purkinje cells in lobe VI during social exploration are dramatically reduced, and the KO mice exhibit alterations in sensorimotor coordination, deceased social preference, and increased anxiety.

The self-in-the-world map emerged in the primate brain as a basis for Homo sapiens abilities.

The brain in the genus Homo expanded rapidly during evolution, accelerated by a reciprocated interaction between neural, cognitive, and ecological niches (triadic niche construction, or TNC). This biologically costly expansion incubated latent cognitive capabilities that, with a quick and inexpensive rewiring of brain areas in a second phase of TNC, provided the basis for Homo sapiens specific abilities. The neural demands for perception of the human body in interaction with tools and the environment required highly integrated sensorimotor domains, inducing the parietal lobe expansion seen in humans. These newly expanded brain areas allowed connecting the sensations felt in the body to the actions in the world through the cognitive function of "projection". In this opinion article, we suggest that as a relationship of equivalence between body parts, tools and their external effects was established, mental mechanisms of self-objectification might have emerged as described previously, grounding notions of spatial organization, idealized objects, and their transformations, as well as socio-emotional states in the sensing agent through a self-in-the-world map. Therefore, human intelligence and its features such as symbolic thought, language, mentalizing, and complex technical and social behaviors could have stemmed from the explicit awareness of the causal relationship between the self and intentional modifications to the environment.