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But--is it all genetically determined? This
study in non-human primates shows how social factors can influence the level
of dopamine receptors and the propensity to self administer drugs.
Illustrated above are PET images of the brains of monkeys that were
initially individually housed (left) and then group housed (right). Those
emerging at the top of their social rank – experiencing less stress and more
access to natural rewards – expressed more dopamine receptors and took less
cocaine than did submissive monkeys. |