Brain-wide activity-identity mapping of neural networks associated with prosocial motivation in rats

Summary A prosocial response to others in distress is an important driver of behavior across social species. To investigate the neurobiological mechanism leading to prosocial behavior, we use a helping behavior test wherein rats may release a trapped conspecific by opening a restrainer door. To ensure rats were not acting for social interaction, a separation divider prevented post-release contact (“ separated ” test). Despite the divider, most rats consistently opened the restrainer, demonstrating prosocial motivation. Brain-wide c-Fos analysis conducted via our opensource software "Brainways", revealed activity in empathy-related regions, including the anterior cingulate and insular cortices. Nucleus accumbens activity, previously recorded during helping, was not significant in the “separated” test . Chemogenetic manipulations of the accumbens did not prevent helping, suggesting that its activity reflects contact seeking. Mapping of oxytocin and dopamine receptors on active cells revealed region-specific recruitment of these subpopulations, depending on the social context. Network connectivity analysis highlights context-dependent functional subcircuits.