Date Approved

6-16-2026

Embargo Period

6-16-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D. Neuroscience

Department

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

College

Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences

Advisor

Elizabeth West, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Benjamin Rood, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Rachel Navarra, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3

Jessica Loweth, Ph.D.

Committee Member 4

Daniel Chandler, Ph.D.

Keywords

Avpr1a;DREADDs;Neuroanatomy;Social Behavior;Thalamus;Vasopressin

Disciplines

Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neurosciences

Abstract

The vasopressin (Avp) system modulates social behavior through region-specific and sex-dependent mechanisms, yet the role of Avp receptor 1a (Avpr1a) signaling in the thalamus has remained largely unexplored. This dissertation examined the distribution and functional contributions of Avpr1a-expressing neurons across the mouse thalamus using a combination of genetic labeling, anatomical quantification, and chemogenetic manipulation. Mapping of Avpr1a-expressing neurons revealed a presence in most thalamic nuclei, with highest densities in the anterior thalamic nuclei and midline nuclei. Notably, Avpr1a-expressing neuron densities did not mirror previously described patterns of Avp innervation, and no sex differences in Avpr1a-expressing neuron density were observed. Chemogenetic inhibition of Avpr1a-expressing neurons in the caudal limbic thalamus produced opposing effects on anogenital investigation depending on stimulus sex, while rostral inhibition reduced general investigation in male subjects with a female stimulus. Excitation of Avpr1a-expressing neurons in the lateral habenula did not alter social investigation. Robust sex differences in baseline social behavior were observed across all experiments, persisting regardless of manipulation. These findings establish Avpr1a-expressing neurons in the limbic thalamus as a modulatory population within the social behavior network and support a contextual gating model in which rostrocaudally distinct populations calibrate social investigation to stimulus identity and social context.

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