Social touch is an integral part of communication among many species, yet understanding the underlying pathways and mechanisms remains an intricate challenge. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Dobolyi, whose research has brought new light to this fascinating area.

Dr. Dobolyi's study revolves around the discovery of a novel neuronal pathway from the posterior intralaminar thalamic nucleus (PIL) to the medial preoptic area (MPOA) that plays a key role in controlling social grooming. The groundbreaking findings reveal that neurons in both the PIL and MPOA activate naturally through physical contact between female rats or chemogenetic stimulation of PIL neurons. Interestingly, these neurons were found to express the neuropeptide parathyroid hormone 2 (PTH2), and it was observed that central infusion of its receptor antagonist diminished so ...