Social bonds, cardiovascular function, and serotonin : insights from an animal model
Abstract
Social relationships positively influence psychological and biological function in humans and other mammals.The disruption of an individual's social environment through separation or death often results in social isolation, which can adversely impact mental and cardiovascular health (Frasure-Smith, Lesperance, & Talajic, 1993;Gore, 1978).The general purpose of this experiment is to further investigate neurobiological mechanisms mediating the adverse effects of social stress and focused on the role of serotonin in that relationship.An animal model was used to simulate social stress in humans.Specifically, the goal of this study is to explore the effects of sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) on the behavioral and physiological consequences of disrupted social bonds.We hypothesized that treatment with the antidepressant drug sertraline hydrochloride would buffer the deleterious changes in behavioral and cardiac function following social stress.Specifically, animals administered sertraline hydrochloride were expected to display lower heart rates and higher heart rate variability than the control group (i.e., vehicle only) during basal and behavioral assessment periods.To investigate this, male prairie voles were paired with an unrelated female partner for five days.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a thesis, done in animal, not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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