How the brain controls social grooming
Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Allogrooming Behavior
Researchers are looking at how brain circuits control social grooming to learn more about social behavior in people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research uses mice to study allogrooming — when one animal grooms another — and maps the brain regions involved in these friendly interactions. The team records brain activity, manipulates specific groups of neurons, and observes how those changes affect grooming and social bonding. Their lab-based work at UCLA aims to uncover the neural circuits that support social contact and could point to targets for future autism research. The project does not directly enroll people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll people; its results are intended to help people with autism in later research or clinical trials.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate therapies or clinical care will not receive direct benefit from this laboratory-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to brain circuit targets that guide development of future treatments to help social connection difficulties in autism.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal research has connected some brain areas to social behaviors, but mapping the specific circuits for allogrooming is relatively new and less explored.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, Weizhe — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Hong, Weizhe
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.