Though it may sound a bit clinical to the romantics among us, Emory University neuroscientists say it's the brain that orchestrates the forming of the lasting emotional bonds which make up the pulse of life - life with lovers, family, and friends. These neural pathways, he proposes, may also prove to be important in clinical disorders such as autism and schizophrenia - both of which result in social isolation and detachment. Using voles Having studied social attachment for 15 years, Dr. Insel is known for developing its best laboratory model, using a mouse-sized rodent called a vole.
Voles come in various species, including prairie and montane voles.
Field biologists in the wild discovered that the highly social prairie vole is a model of family values. These animals naturally form lasting, monogamous pair bonds after mating and prefer the company of their mate to others. The male reacts aggressively toward other males once he's bonded with a female. Prairie vole breeding pairs nest together, and both parents provide extensive and prolonged parental care, with offspring remaining in the nest for several weeks beyond weaning. In contrast, the montane vole is a loner, nesting in isolation.