How the brain builds social connections
Official title: Characterizing the neural mechanisms of social connection
Funded at Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-11261093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how brain circuits create feelings of connection and how that might help people who feel isolated or struggle with substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | April 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $494,025 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA053311-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who feel socially isolated or who are struggling with substance use or maladaptive coping related to loneliness would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without issues of social isolation or substance-related coping, or whose conditions require strictly medical interventions unrelated to social behavior, may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will examine the brain circuits that make social interactions feel rewarding and help people form bonds. They will use controlled social interaction experiments and neural measurements (including animal models that inform human biology) to trace how shared understanding between people emerges. The team will link those neural signals to behaviors tied to loneliness and substance use to see how social rewards can steer choices. Findings will be used to guide new ways to help people build healthier social ties and reduce harmful coping like drug or alcohol use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or therapies that help people form healthier social connections and reduce substance-related coping.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies already suggest social opportunity can reduce substance use, but translating the specific brain mechanisms to people is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delgado, Mauricio R. — Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark
- Study coordinator: Delgado, Mauricio R.
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.