Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Right Uncinate Fasciculus Integrity Predicts Social Dominance in Squirrel Monkeys

Tractographic analysis shows a clear link from right uncinate fasciculus integrity to hierarchy behaviors in squirrel monkeys under rigorous control conditions.

Image
These findings support human studies linking this brain region to social aggression, suggesting this may be an evolutionarily conserved substrate for social dominance across species. Credit: Neuroscience News

Overview

  • Researchers used diffusion MRI tractography to examine limbic white matter pathways in 15 squirrel monkeys.
  • Social dominance measures included normalized David’s scores along with observed aggression and submissive behaviors.
  • Integrity of the right uncinate fasciculus showed the strongest correlation with higher social rank.
  • Trends in the left uncinate fasciculus suggest potential bilateral involvement despite a clear right-hemispheric lateralization.
  • The fornix served as a control tract and analyses accounted for age, weight, handedness, brain size and hormone levels to isolate dominance-related effects.