Impact of Social Dominance on Stress Vulnerability in Rats

Abstract

Stressful events are linked to psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, affecting behavior, cognition, and social interactions. Research indicates significant variability in how individuals cope with stress, influenced by genetic, epigenetic, early life experiences, and social status. Social hierarchies play a crucial role in the lives of social animals, offering various advantages such as access to resources and mating opportunities. Although individual differences in vulnerability to stress are increasingly recognized, the influence of social hierarchy on vulnerability remains relatively understudied.