Aim 1: To examine how the brain is organized over time following an opportunity to ascend in social status. I will determine how functional networks change in the brain as animals transition from a subordinate (SUB) to a dominant (DOM) social status. I will then test how this process is impacted by SSH antagonists.
AIM 2: Examine how the animals respond to social challenge and opportunity at different stages of their transition. I will expose transitioning animals to either a territorial challenge or a reproductive opportunity at different stages in their transition and examine cytochrome oxidase and egr-1 levels.