Brain circuits that shape social motivation in autism
Official title: Corticothalamic control of social motivation
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11355477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how specific brain circuits control social motivation, with a focus on autism-related social challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $376,408 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131053-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with autism or caregivers seeking insights into brain mechanisms of social behavior, though this study uses animal models and is not yet a human trial.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to patients will depend on future translation; current work is in animals and may not immediately affect clinical care.
What this research studies
If this work succeeds, it could reveal how the mPFC and pPVT brain regions interact to drive social behavior in a sex-specific way, potentially guiding new approaches for autism-related social difficulties. Researchers will use mouse models, genetic tools, and activity manipulation to test how PV interneurons influence the circuit that controls social motivation. The project combines targeted brain interventions with behavior tests to see how changes in circulation of signals affect sociability. Findings could point toward brain-based strategies to improve social engagement in people with autism. The study runs through 2027 at Drexel University, led by Wen-Jun Gao.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these circuits could inform future therapies aimed at improving social motivation in autism.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot data in mice show that activating the mPFC-pPVT pathway can alter social motivation, suggesting the approach has potential but requires further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Wen-Jun — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Gao, Wen-Jun
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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.