Ucn3 and CRF-R2 in the medial amygdala regulate complex social dynamics.

Social encounters are associated with varying degrees of emotional arousal and stress. The mechanisms underlying adequate socioemotional balance are unknown. The medial amygdala (MeA) is a brain region associated with social behavior in mice. Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type-2 (CRF-R2) and its specific ligand urocortin-3 (Ucn3), known components of the behavioral stress response system, are highly expressed in the MeA. Here we show that mice deficient in CRF-R2 or Ucn3 exhibit abnormally low preference for novel conspecifics. MeA-specific knockdown of Crfr2 (Crhr2) in adulthood recapitulated this phenotype. In contrast, pharmacological activation of MeA CRF-R2 or optogenetic activation of MeA Ucn3 neurons increased preference for novel mice. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of MeA Ucn3 neurons elicited pro-social behavior in freely behaving groups of mice without affecting their hierarchal structure. These findings collectively suggest that the MeA Ucn3-CRF-R2 system modulates the ability of mice to cope with social challenges.

The public prefers fecal occult blood test over colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

The acceptability of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests to the population influences adherence. Population preferences between fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopy for CRC screening were examined by previous test experience. The study population was a random sample of 413 members of Israel's largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) aged 48-68 years. In a telephone interview, an explanation was provided regarding FOBT and colonoscopy. Participants were asked which they preferred and their degree (1-6) of agreement with each of eight test characteristics. Overall Attitude Scores toward FOBT and colonoscopy were compared. Predictors of colonoscopy preference and of refusal to undergo screening were examined using a logistic regression model. FOBT was preferred as a screening test by 70.2% of the participants, colonoscopy by 9.3%, 7.4% were indecisive, and 13.1% were not interested in screening. FOBT and colonoscopy similarly scored highly as life saving (5.2 vs. 5.1, respectively), with colonoscopy scoring significantly higher as time consuming (3.8 vs. 1.3, P<0.0001), disturbing (4.6 vs. 1.8, P<0.0001), painful (4.1 vs. 1.0, P<0.0001), annoying (4.8 vs. 1.9, P<0.0001), and involving risk (3.2 vs. 1.0, P<0.0001). In a logistic multivariate analysis, preference of colonoscopy was associated with the perception of being at CRC risk [odds ratio (OR): 3.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-7.6)], with more positive attitude scores towards this test [OR: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.6-3.0)], and with a more negative one toward FOBT [OR: 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3-0.7)]. Target population preferences for CRC screening supports a policy of FOBT screening for an average risk population and colonoscopy for high-risk individuals.