Microglia sculpt dopamine receptor-mediated adolescent behaviors in a social experience dependent manner
Madeline Clark, Emily Gershowitz, Ben Devlin, Roshen Amin, Julia E. Dziabis, Hannah Staley, Olivia Shamberger, Ja'nelle Kellam, Staci D. Bilbo
This study shows that microglia regulate dopamine receptor pruning in adolescent rats, influencing social behaviors through complement-mediated engulfment, with sex-specific effects of social isolation.
bioRxiv · Sep 30, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience