How social isolation affects the brain's response to touch
Official title: The Effect of Social Isolation on Inhibitory Modulation of Tactile Processing
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11146325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being socially isolated might change the way our brains respond to touch, especially for those who feel more sensitive to it, and it aims to understand the brain's inner workings behind this experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $44,886 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS135947-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing heightened tactile sensitivity or sensory processing challenges, particularly those with a history of social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience sensory processing issues or who have no history of social isolation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social isolation influences the brain's ability to process tactile information. It focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms that alter sensitivity to touch in response to stress caused by social isolation. By studying the cuneate nucleus in the brainstem, the research aims to uncover how inhibitory networks can either amplify or reduce tactile responses. This could help explain why some individuals may experience heightened sensitivity to touch when isolated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of sensory processing issues related to social isolation.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on social isolation and tactile processing may be novel, related research has shown success in understanding sensory modulation in various contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mosko, Jacqueline Rose — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Mosko, Jacqueline Rose
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
This project explores how being socially isolated may speed up health problems as people with schizophrenia age.
-
How Social Isolation Impacts Aging in People with Schizophrenia
This study looks at how social isolation affects aging and health in people with schizophrenia to see if loneliness and lack of social contact worsen medical problems as they grow older.
-
How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
A patient-friendly look at how being socially isolated might influence aging and health in people with schizophrenia.
-
The effect of social isolation on aging health in people with schizophrenia
This study explores how being socially isolated may speed up aging-related health problems in people with schizophrenia.
-
UCSF Prevention Center to Reduce Loneliness in older LGBTQ+ adults
A center at UCSF will partner with communities to reduce loneliness and social isolation among LGBTQ+ adults ages 60 and up.
-
Genetic and brain factors behind how people respond to social isolation
A study to understand why some individuals respond differently to social isolation by looking at genes and brain circuits.
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.