Science News Online (12/5/98): References for Voles are addicted to love

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Voles are addicted to love

Female voles pick a mate in response to the release of dopamine within their brain, the same chemistry that makes cocaine and heroin addictive.

References:

Cascio, C. . . . T.R. Insel, et al. Dopamine D2 receptor-mediated regulation of partner preferences in female prairie voles. Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. November. Los Angeles.

Gingrich, B.S., C. Cascio . . . T.R. Insel. 1998. Oxytocin, dopamine, and enkephalin in the nucleus accumbens: A neurochemical cascade for pair bonding. Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. November. Los Angeles.

Further Readings:

Raloff, J. 1996. New signs of nicotine’s addictiveness. Science News 250(July 20):38.

Fackelmann, K.A. 1993. Hormone monogamy. Science News 144(Nov. 27):360.

Sources:

Carissa Cascio
Emory University
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
1639 Pierce Drive
WMB Suite 4000
Atlanta, GA 30322

Brenden S. Gingrich
Emory University
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
1639 Pierce Drive
WMB Suite 4000
Atlanta, GA 30322

Thomas R. Insel
Emory University
Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center
Atlanta, GA 30322

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 23, December 5, 1998, p. 367. Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

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