Social transfer of pain in mice

Pain Pain experienced by an individual can be modulated by social, cognitive, and emotional factors. In a group setting, can an individual experiencing pain affect other, pain-free individuals' behaviors and responses? Smith et al. explored this question in mice. They examined the responses of “bystander” animals housed in the same room, but not in the same cage, as animals experiencing hyperalgesia—a heightened sensitivity to pain—from tissue damage or withdrawal of opiates. The “bystander” animals also displayed hyperalgesia, which was mediated by olfactory cues. Sci. Adv. 10.1126/sciadv.1600855 (2016).