How being socially isolated as a teenager affects decision-making in adults
Official title: Effects of adolescent social isolation on adult decision making and corticostriatal circuitry
Funded at Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-10874760 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being socially isolated as a teenager affects how mice make decisions as adults, helping us understand the impact of loneliness on choices about rewards and costs, especially in light of increased isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $179,874 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH127306-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874760 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be adolescents and young adults who have experienced social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced social isolation during adolescence may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social isolation during adolescence on decision-making processes in adulthood, using male and female mice as subjects. The study aims to understand how experiences of isolation influence the value placed on rewards and the integration of expected costs in decision-making. By employing operant tasks and computational modeling, researchers will analyze behavioral changes and examine the underlying neural circuitry involved in these processes. This research is particularly relevant in the context of increased social isolation due to COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for adults who experienced social isolation during their teenage years.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that social experiences during adolescence can significantly affect adult behavior, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holly, Elizabeth N. — Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
- Study coordinator: Holly, Elizabeth N.
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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.