Brain circuits behind partner-seeking after losing a loved one
Official title: Neurocircuit of Partner-seeking Following Social Loss
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11262812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at brain circuits in animal models to learn why some people have prolonged partner-seeking and emotional pain after losing a loved one.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $648,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133123-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11262812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have experienced intense, prolonged grief or persistent partner-seeking behaviors after losing a spouse or close partner would be most relevant to benefit from this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated medical conditions or those experiencing normal, short-term grief may not receive direct benefit from this animal-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers use prairie voles — small animals that form strong pair bonds like people — to mimic partner loss and watch changes in behavior that resemble grief. They will study dopamine signaling from the ventral tegmental area and other limbic circuits involved in reward and emotional pain. The team will search for genetic markers that predict who is vulnerable or resilient and test interventions that might reverse persistent symptoms. Results are intended to point toward new biological targets for treating prolonged grief and related psychiatric problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain circuits and genetic markers that lead to new treatments to reduce prolonged grief, partner-seeking, and related anxiety or depression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies using prairie voles and other models have shown social-loss behaviors and brain changes, but translating these findings into human treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Adam Steven — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Smith, Adam Steven
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.