- T R Insel: 954 Gatewood Road NE, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. insel@rmy.emory.edu
Comparative studies over the past year have revealed two new insights into the role of neuropeptides in the evolution of social behaviors. First, across vertebrate taxa, certain neuropeptide effects appear to be gender-specific. Second, species variations in receptor gene structure can alter neuropeptide receptor distribution and thereby contribute to species differences in social behavior.