Biological Sciences Division
Published April 13, 2022 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Social connections predict brain structure in a multidimensional free-ranging primate society

Creators

  • 1. University of Pennsylvania
  • 2. University of Exeter
  • 3. Wellcome Integrative Neuroimaging Centre
  • 4. Arizona State University
  • 5. New York University
  • 6. Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • 7. Texas Biomedical Research Institute
  • 8. North Carolina State University
  • 9. University of Chicago
  • 10. University of Puerto Rico
  • 11. Duke University
  • 12. North Carolina Central University

Description

Reproduction and survival in most primate species reflects management of both competitive and cooperative relationships. Here, we investigated the links between neuroanatomy and sociality in free-ranging rhesus macaques. In adults, the number of social partners predicted the volume of the mid–superior temporal sulcus and ventral-dysgranular insula, implicated in social decision-making and empathy, respectively. We found no link between brain structure and other key social variables such as social status or indirect connectedness in adults, nor between maternal social networks or status and dependent infant brain structure. Our findings demonstrate that the size of specific brain structures varies with the number of direct affiliative social connections and suggest that this relationship may arise during development. These results reinforce proposed links between social network size, biological success, and the expansion of specific brain circuits.

Data availability

All data, code, and materials used in this study are available on the Open Science Framework platform (osf.io). Link: https://osf.io/xfz3r/?view_only=66633a9490e649038330a98788a0cca3. Original brain tissue samples can be provided by the University of Pennsylvania pending scientific review and a completed material transfer agreement. Requests for brain tissues should be submitted to: cbru@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

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Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1126/sciadv.abl5794
Other
oai:uchicago.tind.io:11034

Funding

National Science Foundation
1800558
National Center for Research Resources
P40OD012217-25
Wellcome
R01MH118203
Wellcome
U01MH121260
Wellcome
R01MH096875
Wellcome
R01AG060931
Wellcome
R00AG051764
Wellcome
1800558
Wellcome
RGS/R1/191182
Wellcome
P40OD012217-25
Wellcome
IMPULSION 2020
Wellcome
IDEX/IMP/2020/14
Wellcome
203139/Z/16/Z
Wellcome
WT101092MA
National Institutes of Health
R01MH118203
National Institutes of Health
U01MH121260
National Institutes of Health
R01MH096875
National Institutes of Health
R01AG060931
National Institutes of Health
R00AG051764
National Institutes of Health
1800558
National Institutes of Health
RGS/R1/191182
National Institutes of Health
P40OD012217-25
Royal Society Research Grant
RGS/R1/191182

UChicago Information

Division(s)
Biological Sciences Division
Department(s)
Radiology