How a small brain region links emotion, memory, and social behavior
Neuroanatomy and function of the ventral claustrum-dorsal endopiriform nucleus in mice
This project looks at how nerve cells in a tiny brain area influence social behavior, emotion, and memory, aiming to help people with conditions like autism, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263653 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are mapping and recording activity of specific neurons that express the oxytocin receptor in a small brain region called the ventral claustrum–dorsal endopiriform nucleus using mouse models. They trace the connections of these neurons to other brain areas, such as the medial prefrontal cortex, and measure how these cells fire during rest, exploration, and social encounters. The team combines anatomical mapping and live neural recordings to link cellular circuits to social and emotional behaviors. Findings will be used to build a circuit-level understanding that could guide future human-focused research.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is preclinical work in mice, so there is no current patient enrollment, but the research is most relevant to adults with autism, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s disease who may be candidates for future clinical follow-ups.
Not a fit: Children and people with medical conditions unrelated to social behavior, emotion, or memory are unlikely to benefit directly from this mouse-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal brain circuit targets that lead to new ways to treat social, emotional, or memory problems in disorders like autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior anatomical mapping and small animal studies have hinted that this brain area matters for multisensory processing and social/emotional behavior, but directly linking defined neurons to those behaviors is still early and primarily preclinical.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Yongsoo — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kim, Yongsoo
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 below.